Benefits of Swinging

Swinging can:

• be alerting or calming

• encourage social interaction and development

• increase spatial awareness

• help develop gross motor skills

• help develop fine motor skills—grip strength, hand, arm and finger coordination

• help develop core muscle strength

• improve attention and self regulation

Spinning on a swing stimulates different parts of a child’s brain simultaneously. This is important for learning skills such as spatial awareness, rhythm and balance and muscle control.

We offer many opportunities and ways to swing at HOPE Grove.

Types of swings:

Traditional sling/playground swing: great for balance and core strength, coordination (to pump and pull). Kids are able to invert themselves (leaning backwards or lying on their bellies to get their heads in upside down position), keep a linear (back and forth) motion or facilitate a rotary (spinning) motion. Kids practice their communication and social skills when asking for pushes or helping others. Children can decide how high they want to go.

Saucer swings: Children can sit, stand or lay while this swing is pushed, linear, lateral (side to side) or rotary. This swing is often enjoyed by multiple children making it a great tool for social skills. The needs of all of our friends have to be considered for everyone to have fun, we practice perspective taking (some friends do not want to go high), turn taking, imagination (lets go to the moon) and shared joy.

Hammock swings: Great for a quiet escape, a nap, or get it moving during an exciting game with friends. Some of our friends have learned to flip themselves over, using lots of strength and full body coordination, bravery and confidence.

Zipline swing: Great for tons of vestibular and proprioceptive input! Enjoyed fast or slow, straight or spinning, bouncy or on your belly. Children have to practice lots of patience and turn taking since only one kid can go at a time.

Do your children love to swing? Do you allow spinning, going high or upside down? Most children’s bodies seek out the movements they need; moving in different directions and different positions helps with sensory integration and regulation. Never force a child to swing higher than they are comfortable. The more practice and opportunities they have when they are younger will lead to stronger, safer and more self aware children!