Glenelg Country School Hosts Discussion About Outdoor Play

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Expert Angela Hanscom will speak about the risks, challenges and importance of unrestricted outdoor play at Glenelg Country School as part of a guest series hosted by the school. The event will be held Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.

According to Hanscom, studies suggest that unrestricted outdoor play supports healthy child development. However, as the time and space for children to move and play outdoors diminishes, there has been seen a rise in the number of children with sensory and motor deficits. Classroom teachers observe children having trouble with attention, falling out of their seats, increased clumsiness and even aggressiveness on the playground.

In the workshop, Hanscom will discuss how the TimberNook program benefits children in schools. She will describe the fundamental principles of this innovative approach and how to advocate for this type of program in your school. Participants will engage in a TimberNook experience first-hand and learn how to analyze the therapeutic components of outdoor play. The experience will allow them to comprehend the impact outdoor play has on child development at a deeper level.

The event is free and open to the public; however, registration is appreciated for planning purposes. Registration can be completed at www.glenelg.org/dragon-dialogues.