Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children

I loved how this book was written from a therapist point of view. It has great points in it, that kids need to be outside and need to challenge themselves and their bodies. They are not meant to sit in a chair all day. They need to explore and discover things. Highly recommend this book.

This should be read by every parent, teacher, educator, nurse, doctor, therapist, day care employee, babysitter, and anyone else who is charged with taking care of children in any capacity. The author describes in plain English backed by science how children learn through play and how to become independent functioning adults they need to develop independence and responsibility as children. Some of the information presented is very basic and to more educated readers may seem too basic. However, I work in a job where we see children who are struggling with every diagnosis from ADD to sensory integration issues. I have met the parents and many do not know even the basics of anatomy. Therefore, this book is appropriate for those people who know nothing about anatomy and child development to those who have a good basic understanding but want more specifics. It is very easy to read, uses a conversational style and lots of stories and examples of how to apply the science to grow healthy, capable children who have less rage and anxiety than it seems the majority of children in our country today.

This book presents an easy-to-read, well-articulated argument for more outdoor time for children of all ages. Speaking directly to parents, the author uses common sense, stories, and plenty of recent research to justify the simple fact that playing outside is not only good for us, but is necessary for healthy development, both body and brain. A boon especially for those families with stressed and sensitive kids, this book is full of exactly the things you want to discuss with neighbors and friends when trying to stretch the boundaries of independence within reason so that our kids can have some of the freedoms we enjoyed while growing up ourselves.I recommend this book for any parent who is feeling the need to get their kid(s) outside more and those who are willing to try something new as an alternative to behavioral and emotional issues in kids who are scheduled to the max, and complain of being "bored". The answer, given some faith and patience, could be as simple as telling them to "Go Outside!"

This is a nice quick resource on why it is so important to get your child outside. It offers some insight into how to combat the cultural push away from allowing our kids to be independent. This book is very simple to read and attempts to backup the claims within. It is a sort of sad reality that some of the advice is difficult to follow. Simply put, it is time to take back childhood and let children become explorers.

Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela Hanscom is unique on this list in that it was written by a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Timbernook, a nature-based developmental program. The author advocates for unstructured outdoor play as the necessary environment for optimal body, brain, and social development. But it goes beyond the obvious, even for us tree hugging parents. There is an epidemic of children who are lacking in basic human skills and these are the very skills that flourish with unstructured time spent in nature (proprioception and sensory integration, to name just a couple). Boiled down to one sentence I would say open the door and set your children free, and that may not be novel to you, but the depth to which that experience (or lack thereof) reaches into the seemingly unrelated challenges within your child is profound. “In nature, children learn to take risks, overcome fears, make new friends, regulate emotions, and create imaginary worlds.”

Great read! First book I have finished in years. Puts a lot into perspective of the ever changing world for children, and breaks down how important nature and play is! Helped me realize what is useful to my young children

Angie has done a remarkable job clearly explaining what is going on developmentally with kids today! As a licensed mental heath practitioner, I have witnessed exactly what she describes observing in classrooms. I am seeing kids younger and younger with struggles just as Angie describes. I had no idea until reading this book that there could be another answer other than ADHD, or ODD or Anxiety/Depression. All terms and diagnosis that are too alarming to give to little kids. We can help kids when we know what we are dealing with, but just to put them on meds so they can sit in a classroom isn't the answer. Angie, as an OT has truly hit on something in this fantastic book. I highly recommend this book to everyone but especially parents, teachers and school administrators. Thank you Angie for your beautiful book, your hard core research and your dedication to kids!

This is the best book I’ve read in a while! The information is so needed right now. Everyone should read this book.

Loved this book. Informative on what children need, which is nature!! How most playgrounds aren’t suitable nowadays? In helping them challenge themselves and their bodies to develop self esteem and intrinsic motivation. Very good rad if you’re actually interested in your child’s upbringing and wellbeing

Tolles Buch! Absolute Empfehlung. Leider gibts das Buch (noch?) nicht auf Deutsch.

Exactly as described

Livre excellent sur l'importance du contact avec la nature pour le bon développement général de nos enfants. Il devrait être lu par toutes personnes ayant des enfants dans son entourage (parents, éducateurs, animateurs sans oublier les enseignants). Il est accessible, la lecture est simple et fluide. Mais si vous n'êtes pas bilingue il existe une traduction "les enfants dehors" (il me semble).

While the first chapter is a bit repetitive, summarizing common concerns and issues that are arising in children today, this is overall an excellent read. Well researched, easy to read, with numerous ideas for encouraging sensory development through play for children of all ages. I highly recommend this for any parent or caregiver, early childhood educator, and even teachers.