The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

1KHO 871: Children Shouldn’t Have To Wait To Move Their Bodies | Mike Huber, Embracing Rough-and-Tumble Play

July 28, 2026·56 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Movement isn't a distraction from learning—it's one of the ways children learn best. In this conversation, Ginny sits down with educator and author Mike Huber to explore why rough-and-tumble—or "whole body"—play is one of childhood's most misunderstood and essential experiences. Drawing from decades of classroom experience and research, Mike explains how movement helps children develop self-regulation, social awareness, empathy, confidence, and even the ability to focus and learn. Together, they unpack the difference between healthy risk and hidden hazards, why today's children often lack meaningful agency over their own movement, and how physical play teaches kids to read nonverbal cues, build trust, assess risk, and strengthen friendships. They also discuss why fidgeting and movement are often signs that the brain is trying to regain focus—not evidence that a child isn't paying attention. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode offers a compelling case for embracing movement instead of suppressing it—and practical encouragement for raising children who are confident, capable, and deeply connected to both their bodies and the world around them. Get your copy of Embracing Rough and Tumble Play here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Whisker - Take care of your cats while taking an additional $50 off bundles with code 1000HOURS when you shop www.whisker.com/1000HOURS  woom Bikes - Go to woom.com and use code 1000HOURS at checkout for 10% off your new bike purchase, excluding the woom WOW. Muzzle Sleep Tape - Go to MuzzleSleep.com and use code 1000HOURS for 10% off.  Ethos Life Insurance - Get your free quote at ethos.com/1000hours  Active Skin Repair - Don’t forget to put this in your first aid kit! Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com and use the code 1000HOURS to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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