Self-Guided Learning Series Testimonials
Ritu Rani
“I found the Natural Curiosity video series to be incredibly insightful and valuable. The Indigenous perspectives shared throughout the series truly transformed my understanding of environmental inquiry, emphasizing the importance of viewing nature as interconnected and sacred rather than just a resource. The program highlighted how Indigenous knowledge systems can guide us in fostering a deeper, more respectful relationship with the environment, which is essential for sustainability and responsible stewardship. I particularly appreciated the practical examples shared by educators and speakers, which have inspired me to incorporate these principles into my own practice. Overall, the Natural Curiosity program has not only expanded my perspective on environmental inquiry but has also motivated me to advocate for more Indigenous-informed practices in education and beyond.”
Robert Wallis,
The Nature School,
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
"Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)'s The Nature School recently had the opportunity to benefit from Natural Curiosity's Self-Guided Learning Series, a transformative experience that deepened our approach to environmental inquiry and Indigenous perspectives. This accessible and inspiring course empowered our teachers with the confidence and practical tools to weave an Indigenous lens more holistically into our programs.
Through reflective questions, insightful readings, and real-world examples, our educators discovered meaningful ways to introduce the four branches of environmental inquiry into any learning environment. The course also provided invaluable guidance on building respectful relationships with Indigenous partners.
What truly stood out was the way the program combined expert insights from passionate educators with research-backed strategies, reinforcing the work we do at The Nature School. Our teachers came away energized and excited to bring these learnings into the (outdoor) classroom—creating an even richer, more immersive experience for our students."
Maryam Ahmed
“As an early childhood educator, I am inspired by the Natural Curiosity framework. It provides a powerful lens through which to view and understand children's learning. The four branches—Inquiry and Engagement, Experiential Learning, Integrated Learning, and Moving Towards Sustainability—offer a comprehensive approach to fostering a deep connection to the natural world. I am particularly drawn to the Indigenous lenses that infuse each branch. By incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, we can create more culturally relevant and meaningful learning experiences for our students. Through hands-on activities, nature exploration, and community partnerships, I aim to cultivate a sense of wonder, curiosity, and responsibility in my students.”
Afsaneh Zamani
“I enjoyed learning about Natural Curiosity; it is essential information for educators and those working with children.”
Destiny Greig
“Such a beautiful series, offering deep and valuable learning. It’s so well put together. Received and appreciated <3 Thank you”
Katrina
“These were impactful and helped gain a perspective to have a deeper connection to the world around me!”
Erin L.
“I feel that the children of this generation can really make a change as they grow and learn these beautiful teachings”
Jade Bonham
“Absolutely loved these videos. As a teacher in an Indigenous child center i loved all the ways to show our children how to give back when we take.”
Connie Joe
“ A great learning resource for teachers as well. I enjoyed the stories of how children learn and then extended the experience to further the topic of effects of human behavior.”
Julie Bolduc-Duval
“Very inspiring! I will get the book to learn more!”
Maddy
“THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SERIES TO EXPERIENCE - SHOULD BE SEEN BY ALL EDUCATORS - MADE ME SEE NEW WAYS TO BEST APPLY IN MY OWN TEACHING - THANK YOU”
Erin Scarfone
“This was a great resource for myself and teaching partner in Kindergarten. Thank you for making it free for us to access to watch and learn together so we may bring it back to our students classroom (indoors and out)”
Haragundeep Kaur
“I recently watched a series of videos on the Natural Curiosity pedagogy, and they were incredibly enlightening and transformative. Each video offered a unique perspective on holistic education, deeply integrating Indigenous viewpoints. From fostering authentic student inquiries and nurturing a sense of place in nature, to providing rich, integrated learning experiences and promoting reciprocal relationships with the natural world, these videos have profoundly deepened my understanding of effective and meaningful teaching practices. Highly recommend”
Kelly Gingrich
“Natural Curiosity's approach really gets to the heart of what learning is - and what education ought to feel like. Learning about the 4 Branches & Indigenous Lenses grounds pedagogical possibilities in what learning is about at its core and inspires me as an educator (and community advocate and activist-scholar) to bring these pedagogies into not only professional practice, but more broadly into daily life.”
Yusika Patel
“The Self-Guided Learning Series has been an incredibly valuable resource for me. The instructional videos provided a clear and insightful introduction to the Natural Curiosity framework, which I can now apply in my work. The integration of Indigenous perspectives added depth and a holistic understanding of environmental inquiry, which has inspired me to approach teaching with greater cultural sensitivity and awareness. This program is perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of environmental education and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into their practice."
Aashma Niroula
“The Natural Curiosity program uses four branches to guide learning about the environment with a focus on Indigenous perspectives. This approach is helpful because it nurtures children’s connection to nature, encouraging curiosity, respect, and responsibility for the environment.”
Jennifer Herrod
“This video tutorial is a great reminder of what this book has to offer. It has been a few months since I cracked this book open, however I will make sure to make it my goal to open it up and read deeply again. I quoted this book numerous times while doing my masters and it truly is a wonderful resource to inspire educators.”
Elizabeth
“I found this series quite thought provoking. The contributors gave so many great examples for how to incorporate indigenous ways of learning with students. I have been trying to reimagine my teaching practices and found this series very helpful. Thank you for sharing this knowledge.”
Jyotika
“I found the Natural Curiosity video series incredibly helpful! The content is engaging, easy to follow, and has deepened my understanding of how to approach learning and inquiry in a meaningful way. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to nurture curiosity and critical thinking.”
Jan Moryk
“I think this self guided learning is a good start or launch point for self guided inquiry based leanring related to including the indigenous lens into ones classroom and the mindset/logistics and support one may require as they attempt to center indigenous knowledge within their own pedagogy. I felt interested in the opinions and ideas of the people speaking in the videos”
Jill Haigh
"Thank you so much for this video series. A wonderful introduction to the importance of Experiential Outdoor Education in our world. Love that this wasn’t boiled down to a “here are 5 activities to go do now” philosophy, but rather an invitation to consider our work, acknowledge our work and integrate our work with a Natural Curiousity way of thinking. Thank you.”
Gurmeet Kaur
“I found the Natural Curiosity video series very meaningful and inspiring. It gave me new ways to think about children’s learning through nature and how to include Indigenous perspectives in respectful and thoughtful ways. As an ECE student and a mother, I now feel more confident in planning outdoor, inquiry-based experiences. Thank you for creating this helpful and reflective learning resource.”
Nicole Goffinet
“I am grateful for the encouragement and knowledge which Natural Curiosity has outlined; it has made possible, in myself, a much needed shift in mindset towards favoring place-based, hands-on learning and the fostering of connection to the land and sustainably interacting with all that exists within it.”
Steven Secord
"I've been using the Self-Guided Learning Series with my Primary/Junior Science and Technology students in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University in Orillia for a few years now. It is a fantastic series of videos for an excellent resource."