Expert sees link between decline of outdoors play and issues

Renowned author Angela Hanscom visits New Zealand this month to share her insights into how experiences in nature foster healthy development of the mind, body and senses. Angela’s philosophy has been developed into a successful international programme of nature play programmes called TimberNook.

Meaningful play in natural settings is becoming vital to children in a world that has become technologically driven and challenged by greater learning requirements at younger ages. As we continue to decrease children’s time and space to move and play outdoors, we are seeing a simultaneous rise in the number of children that are presenting with sensory and motor deficits. At the same time, classroom teachers are observing more and more children having trouble with attention, falling out of their chairs at school, increased clumsiness and even aggressiveness with games like tag on the playground.

“The psychological and physical health of children improves when they spend time outside on a regular basis. I’m excited to share several strategies with New Zealand audiences to help children thrive in outdoor environments using a therapeutic approach to nature play” says Angela.

In the TimberNook New Zealand Seminar Series Balanced and Barefoot, Angela will explore how we can reverse this alarming trend of sensory and motor issues in children. How we can ensure that children are fully engaging their mind, body and all of their senses? Angela will be joined by the Director of TimberNook New Zealand, Wendy Pirie, who will share her insights into the hidden ‘gems’ of outdoor play and why they influence education.

2019 TimberNook NZ Seminar Series

Balanced and Barefoot: Exploring how unrestricted outdoor play makes for strong, confident and capable children

AUCKLAND
Girl Guides Taitamariki, Takapuna
Tuesday 19 March, 6pm – 8pm

DUNEDIN
Anderson’s Bay School
Wednesday 20 March, 6pm – 8pm

HAWKE’S BAY
EIT, Taradale
9-11am, Saturday 23 March

Tickets $99 plus booking fee, tickets available through Eventfinda https://tinyurl.com/y53koq5u

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