by Angela Hanscom | Oct 24, 2022 | Occupational Therapy, Outdoor Play
When I tell people I’m a pediatric occupational therapist and that I run nature programming, a look of confusion often crosses their face. “Huh?” they say. Or, “You’re a special needs camp?” Or, “I don’t get it. You’re going to do occupational therapy with our...
by Angela Hanscom | Jan 30, 2019 | Occupational Therapy
By Angela Hanscom Three young boys and two girls scramble up a large dirt hill, almost in unison. One boy gets to the top first and screams, “King of the hill!” Another child laughs and playfully pushes the boy aside, “No. I’m king of the hill!” Each child takes a...
by Angela Hanscom | Apr 18, 2016 | Outdoor Play
By Angela Hanscom Are children’s physical and mental health and recess related? You bet. Recess is important. It’s the opportunity for children to move their bodies, make new friends, and jump into imaginary worlds. If done correctly, recess can be an invaluable...
by Angela Hanscom | Apr 14, 2016 | Outdoor Play
By Angela Hanscom Sometimes we forget the role that recess plays in developing young minds and bodies. Schools are busy places, and teachers are busy people, so it’s not surprising that recess is often the first thing to get cut or taken away as a form of...
by Angela Hanscom | Mar 30, 2016 | Outdoor Play
By Angela Hanscom I was in the middle of feeding my baby boy, when the phone rang. “I need your help,” the person on the other line said. It was an old friend of mine. “Our school is making it mandatory that the children walk laps during recess time.” She went on to...
