This session explores the deep connection between movement, nature, and the developing brain. Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, shares how outdoor time supports emotional regulation, focus, and social development in ways that indoor environments often cannot.
Grounded in neuroscience and real-world experience, this talk will shift the way you view outdoor play from something extra to something essential.
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand the link between nature play and sensory integration in early childhood
- Recognize common signs of sensory dysregulation and how nature can support balance
- Learn why children need more movement, risk, and unstructured outdoor time to thrive
- Gain strategies for using outdoor time to reduce emotional outbursts and improve focus
- Feel empowered to prioritize nature, even in busy or urban environments
