In this 1st episode of Season 12, Restoring the Occupation of Childhood, I’m joined by Angela Hanscom, a paediatric occupational therapist, Author of Balanced and Barefoot.

She is also the founder of TimberNook that programmes designed to immerse children in sensory-rich, authentic play in nature and are found in over 51 locations in 4 countries!

Angela’s work invites us to look again at the rising challenges we’re seeing in children today - anxiety, attention difficulties and disconnection, and to ask a different question.

What if these aren’t problems within the child… but reflections of the environments we’ve created around them?

In this episode, we explore what children truly need to flourish - and how outdoor play, movement, and freedom are not extras, but essential foundations for healthy development.

Topics include:

• In this episode, we explore what children truly need to flourish - and how outdoor play, movement, and freedom are not extras, but essential foundations for healthy development.
• A “flourishing child” is not defined by academic success, but by their ability to adapt, regulate, take risks, and keep going when things are hard.
• The environments children spend most of their time in are shaping their development - often more than we realise.
• Outdoor environments offer rich, multi-sensory experiences that support brain organisation and sensory integration.
• Uneven ground, natural sounds, and changing conditions constantly challenge balance, awareness, and attention.
• Many modern children are significantly under-moving, with long periods of sitting impacting posture, attention, and overall development.
• Movement - especially spinning, climbing, and going upside down - is essential for developing the vestibular system and the ability to focus.
• When children are restricted from movement, they often appear fidgety or inattentive - but this may reflect unmet developmental needs rather than behavioural issues.
• Risky play helps children develop internal risk assessment, confidence, and safety awareness - overprotection can have the opposite effect.
• Play is the primary “occupation” of childhood and the most meaningful way children develop physically, socially, and emotionally.
• Child-led, unstructured play supports executive functioning, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and social skills.
• Outdoor play offers far greater therapeutic benefit than controlled indoor environments due to its complexity, freedom, and full-body engagement.
• A major barrier to children’s play is adult fear - often driven more by social perception than actual risk
• Reducing demands and giving children time and space outdoors can significantly support mental health and reduce anxiety.
• Restoring outdoor play is not just about individual children — it has the potential to shift culture, education, and how we understand development

Shownotes:

https://theoutdoorteacher.com/podcasts/episode-89-restoring-the-occupation-of-childhood/

Music by Geoff Robb: www.geoffrobb.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

How to Teach Climate Change

https://theoutdoorteacher.com/climate