ABFN is excited to partner with the Acton, Boxborough, Harvard, Littleton Early Childhood Education Council to bring this speaker event to our community. ABFN members attend for free! Please register via the link. Numerous studies suggest that unrestricted outdoor play is fundamental to supporting healthy development in children. Children spend large portions of their time in school. Integrating sensory rich outdoor play experiences into this central aspect of a child’s day can have a transformative impact on both academic and social success. In this session, Angela Hanscom, the author of Balanced and Barefoot and founder of TimberNook, will discuss how the TimberNook program is already benefitting children in schools. She will describe the fundamental principles of this innovative approach and how to advocate for this type of program in your school. Presenter: Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of TimberNook – an award-winning nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and an undergraduate degree in kinesiology (the study of movement) with a concentration in health fitness. Angela’s book, Balanced & Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, (New Harbinger Press, 2016) discusses the effects of restricted movement and lack of outdoor playtime on overall sensory and motor development in children. Presented by The ABHL Early Childhood Council with community support from The AB United Way, Acton-Boxborough Family Network, local preschools and businesses. Tickets available on Eventbrite via ABHL Early Childhood Council Facebook page under events. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-outdoor-play-prepares-children-for-academic-success-tickets-5224335