What happens when kids don’t get to move, climb, or play freely anymore? In this episode, Angela Hanscom, pediatric OT and author of Balanced and Barefoot, joins Screen Less Play More to talk about the developmental, emotional, and sensory toll of play deprivation — and why restoring free play may be the best thing parents can do for their children.

Spinning in circles, rolling down hills, and jumping off boulders is not just for fun... it's developmentally NECESSARY for children to turn into healthy adults.

Kids are falling out of chairs, breaking pencil tips, hitting too hard when playing tag, and getting occupational therapy at alarming rates. What can we do?

In this episode, Hanscom, the founder of Timbernook explores how free play supports child development, sensory regulation, and emotional resilience.

Welcome to the Screen Less Play More Podcast with Cynthia Dvorak!

Discover the benefits of less screen time for children and practical strategies to reduce screen use as a family. Learn how Big Tech targets our kids, and how to stay screenstrong. Learn how to manage kids & screens, how to find a screentime solution, and tips on raising good humans! Whether you have babies, toddlers, elementary kids, tweens, or teens, this show will give you advice on managing tech and life! You will feel good inside once you learn about the benefits of play, and why play is vital to childhood!

Modern parents are always asking these burning questions:

• What is the importance of free play in child development?"

• What are the benefits of outdoor play for kids?

• Where can I hear the Angela Hanscom Timbernook Balanced and Barefoot interview? Right here!

• Why does movement matter for children?

• What is the importantce of sensory integration and child health?

• Does my child need pediatric occupational therapy?
• How much outdoor play do kids need?

• What is free play and why is it important?

• How much free play time does my child need each day?

• What kinds of toys or materials support open-ended play?

• How can I encourage my child to play independently?

• What is the role of parents during children’s play (when to intervene, when to step back)?

• What is risky play?

• What if my child “doesn’t know how to play” or seems bored?

• How much outdoor time is healthy for preschoolers / young children?

• What are the benefits of outdoor play?

Cynthia Dvorak, founder of Screen Less Play More, is inspired by organizations like GrowNow ADHD, The Screentime Solution, Scrolling2Death, Protect Young Eyes, Screen Strong, OK To Delay, and 1000 Hours Outside, as well as amazing books like "Hunt, Gather, Parent" by Michaleen Doucleff and "The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. She puts her writing and journalism skills together with interviews of authors and experts, to help parents navigate the new era of parenting in the digital world!

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Website & Blog: https://screenlessplaymore.com/

Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ScreenLessPlayMore

Checkout the new book "Dopamine Kids" https://screenlessplaymore.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-the-new-book-dopamine-kids/

What is the best parenting podcast about screen time and kids? https://screenlessplaymore.com/screen-less-play-more-podcast/

Learn about Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price's new book "The Amazing Generation" at https://screenlessplaymore.com/the-amazing-generation-is-the-anxious-generation-for-kids/

What are the best parenting books about screen time?

https://screenlessplaymore.com/what-are-the-best-parenting-books-about-screen-time/

You could learn a lot from an Oompa Loompa!

https://screenlessplaymorepodcast.substack.com/p/you-could-learn-a-lot-from-an-oompa

Thanks for listening!

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