The Importance of Swings in Children's Development
Swings are an important staple of any playground, as well as in the backyards of many families. Kids often enjoy spending time on a swing, whether they are capable of propelling themselves or they need someone to give them a push. However, swings can also be important to the overall development of a child.
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Independence
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When a child uses a swing, she is learning to play independently. Children are often social creatures and enjoy spending time with other children. While some children enjoy talking to a friend on the next swing over or asking a friend to help push, other children swing by themselves, lost in thought. Using a swing helps a child learn to be by herself and have fun without needing others for entertainment. A swing can help a child who often relies on others for play to become more independent.
Coordination
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Especially when a child stops relying on someone else to propel him on the swing, using a swing helps him develop coordination. The timing necessary to make the swing move and to speed up or slow down can be difficult for some children to learn. For some children, verbal coaching does not seem to work. Instead, the child must learn through trial and error. However, once they learn it, they use the coordination to swing, as well as in other areas of their lives.
Balance
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Balance is an important part of child development. A child needs to learn how to balance and how that balance affects her and her body. If the child cannot balance, she is likely to fall from the swing, especially once she no longer uses swings designed for babies and toddlers. Learning how to balance while going through the back and forth motions is a different sensation than establishing balance when walking or sitting. The more sensations a child is exposed to as she grows, the better she will be able to adapt to new situations.
Imagination
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When a child swings, he often spends that time doing some thinking at the same time. He may imagine that he is flying through the air like a bird or rocking back and forth on the waves of the ocean. It is important for a child to use his imagination in his play to learn about the world around him. A child often takes situations in his life and incorporates them into his play to help himself understand them better. A swing can offer the opportunity for a child to enact some of these imaginations.
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