• Balanced and Barefoot

  • How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children
  • By: Angela J. Hanscom
  • Narrated by: Rebecca Mitchell
  • Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (275 ratings)

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Balanced and Barefoot  By  cover art

Balanced and Barefoot

By: Angela J. Hanscom
Narrated by: Rebecca Mitchell
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Publisher's summary

Today's kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need "rough and tumble" outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. Disturbingly, a lack of movement has been shown to lead to a number of health and cognitive difficulties, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotion regulation and sensory processing issues, and aggressiveness at school recess break. So, how can you ensure your child is fully engaging their body, mind, and all of their senses?

Using the same philosophy that lies at the heart of her popular TimberNook program - that nature is the ultimate sensory experience, and that psychological and physical health improves for children when they spend time outside on a regular basis - author Angela J. Hanscom offers several strategies to help your child thrive, even if you live in an urban environment.

With this book, you'll discover little things you can do anytime, anywhere to help your kids achieve the movement they need to be happy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

©2016 Angela J. Hanscom (P)2016 Tantor

What listeners say about Balanced and Barefoot

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A must listen for every care giver

Absolutely loved this book as encouragement for our parenting journey. My husband and I listened to it together. Rebecca Mitchell did an amazing job narrating, but really wish Angela J. Hanscom would have after listening to her passion on the subject during a podcast.

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  • bb
  • 03-20-23

very informational

this was very informal and helpful ideas to help get our children outside and not to be afriad of letting them get dirty and a little skuffed up.

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Get outside!

Tremendous book! Encouraged me to get my kids out to explore each and every day!

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Amazing

It makes me think differently on how I homeschool my kids!! we'll be outside more often from now on!!

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More great info for parents

I'm pregnant with my first baby. While I already know what I want to instill in her, this book provides discreet and tangible tips to navigate in order to get there.

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A must-read for every parent of young children

This book was such an eye opener. I am passing it on to as many other parents as I can.

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I keep coming back!

This book was amazing. It’s so full of great information. It’s been a year since I’ve read it, and it’s still my favorite book. I reference it all the time. 100% recommend and will read it again soon to refresh my memory on some statistics that she talks about!

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Good information, challenging to listen to as it refers to itself often.

This book is full of important information. However listening to it in audio format was a challenging experience. I also recommend checking out books by people referenced in barefoot and balanced, especially Peter Gray.

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5 people found this helpful

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Nature really does offers the best school and therapy environment!

Seeing the benefits from an active outdoor lifestyle has really opened up my mothering! The way my children have grown in their independence and overcome obstacles is so enlightening to watch. Hoping for books and studies like these to make waves of change in our school systems.

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A big fan

Always great hearing more perspectives on how going back to the basics in childhood is crucial for brain development.

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