Swing!  Swing!

How many toys does your child have?  Are they tried and true?  Or are they the newest fad?  Educational?  Safe?  Age appropriate?  Colorful?  Expensive?  Do they make fun noises?  How about lights?  Does the toy respond to what your child does to it?

As with most things involving preschoolers, there are lots of questions as well as a variety of answers to those questions.  There is no limit to the toys available for your wee one.  And as we have discussed in this column, there are many objects in your home that can be used to entertain and to encourage development.

Does your baby have a swing?  Again, there are many styles from which to choose.  You may be looking for one that will fit into a small space.  Or, perhaps, you need one that will plug in as opposed to a battery-operated one.  You may prefer one that doesn’t require that you take out a loan to purchase.

Why are swings so popular with parents and babies?  And, why have swings proved themselves over time?  Why, because they are FUN!  And, indeed they are fun.  But, what else are swings good for?

If the only reason you provide a swing for your wee one is because it makes him happy, that’s enough.  Nothing has a more pleasant, joyful, sound than that of a baby laughing with sheer abandon.  The child will not care how much it costs, what color or style it is, nor if it is musical, so long as it goes back and forth and someone is near to keep it moving.

How does swinging benefit your baby?  Sitting in a swing as it moves back and forth, assists him to develop the muscles that help him balance, and to become aware of which ones and how he needs to use those muscles necessary for balance.

Swinging helps with sensory integration.  Several systems combine in our bodies to help keep us aware in which direction we are moving. We get some practice for, some day, enjoying a merry-go-round and other rides at an amusement park without getting motion sickness.  There are constant messages moving from the body to the brain and ears telling us where we are in space and what we are doing.

Even adults enjoy the pleasant feelings from swinging.  If you don’t have a swing, consider getting one.  Or at the very least, go to a park and listen to your baby giggle as he enjoys the ride!

(Note:  Some information for this article was gleaned from a post by Abbie Smith, pediatrician, wife of Rick Smith, and mother of baby Noah Smith, on the blog NoahsDad.com.)

©2012 Brenda Holland-Robinson