• 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 (271 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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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Poorly-Researched, Poorly-Narrated

Anecdotal evidence is the basis of most of the author's sweeping conclusions. At best, tiny sample sizes. The dogma and poor reasoning of this book is revealed halfway through when the author romanticizes the playground equipment of the 80's, She describes horrific injuries suffered by children on that antiquated equipment, and then attributes the ensuing safety improvements to "litigation" rather than a reasonable intent to prevent those injuries.
Worst of all, the narrator is stilted and robotic.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

One sided

This book is an encouragement for parents to have children play in natural landscapes, yes this is important. Children benefit from these activities by learning problem solving, physical well-being, communication strategies and self confidence. Although as a reader I am left to question how these practices can be instilled in families where outdoor natural play is not available. Consideration needs to be voiced for families who live in an area where safety is a concern, or natural play habitats are not present. The author made clear that artificial play environments will not meet the needs of Unrestricted Outdoor Play therefor what are the outlets for families who are not middle and upper middle-class. This book is great for families of resources, but does not provide alternatives for families without means, transportation, safety in their neighborhood and so forth.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Game Changer

I feel like this book is a game changer. I wish I could get all of my parent friends to listen to it.

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3 people found this helpful

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A very good book!

I really enjoyed this book. It really supports the way I treat my kids in my school.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Benefits of outdoor play

The book provides an interesting take on the benefits of outdoor, self-directed play however makes pretty big claims that this type of play will address a huge range of physical, emotional and behavioral issues. It also romanticizes the past a bit too much. I found the descriptions of playground equipment of the past off putting. She discusses traumatic injuries and deaths of young ones however still speaks to how important this equipment is for development given these instances are rare.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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LOVED!

This is such a great book if you have kids of any age. I have learned and implemented so much of this information and I have enjoyed seeing my little ones grow in imaginative play. I’ve become more confident in giving them freedoms and just watching them play. What a wonderful book!

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