The Decline of Outdoor Play – And the Rise in Sensory Issues (08/26/2026)

LIVE WEBINAR – August 26, 2026

Presented by Angela Hanscom, MOT, OTR/L

6:00 – 7:30pm | 1.5 Contact Hours

Objectives:

• Participants will learn about the developmental changes that are taking place in children (for example, increased number of children falling, decreased strength, underdeveloped balance systems, etc.).
• Participants will learn the underlying reasons why more and more children are presenting with sensory, motor, and social issues as well as a decline in creativity and imaginative play abilities.
• Participants will learn ways to foster healthy sensory and motor development, creativity, and independence with outdoor play in all environmental settings

Presenter bios

Angela J. Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook – an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She is the author of Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children. Hanscom is also a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and in 2019 won the Small Business of the Year Award for the State of New Hampshire.

Hosted by OOTA’s North Coast District