Excite your children with swings
ASK a child what he or she wants for toys. Expect many gadgets to be mentioned, except the swing.
By Harriet Birungi
ASK a child what he or she wants for toys. Expect many gadgets to be mentioned, except the swing.
Many children think swings are not home toys.
We cannot blame them because having swings have only been left for schools and children’s parks.
Adiam Sertzu, an architect, says it is due to limited land that people no longer consider having swings in homes.
“The desire to generate income from each piece of land is responsible for the absence of swings in homes,†explains Sertzu.
If you are fortunate enough to have outdoor space and you have considered purchasing some outdoor equipment for your child to play, a swing should be one of them.
Playing inside the house is okay, but children should also be encouraged to play outdoors for several reasons.
First of all, Sertzu says swings children outdoors, reducing the risk of destroying property in the house.
Secondly, they are likely to have space to run around. In this way, they burn off more energy in addition to the health benefits from the fresh air and sunshine.
Sunshine enhances the body’s ability to use vitamin B and from it, they get vitamin D, good for the bones.
Swings, as popular outdoor toys, come in a range of sizes to cater for different ages.
If you can afford to buy the already made ones, there are swings with stands and a rope that can be adjusted to increase the height of the frame or lower and heighten the seat.
Other swings have interchangeable seats that adapt from the safety seats suitable for babies to the normal standard seats for older children.
Alternatively, if you cannot afford to get the already made swing, get a tyre or a strong piece of wood, with curved edges and tie it on a chain. Then fasten the chain on a firm tree branch in your garden for the children to play.
For safety, before you install the swing consider, the amount of space required.
Enough space is vital for the child to push forward and backward. That means nothing should be in the way to pose harm.
The things to bear in mind are walls, branches and any other obstacle which could either scratch or collide with the child, get entangled in the rope or joints, explains Sertzu.
The frames of the swing should be large and the rope long enough to cover a big area.
Annabel Mubiru, a teacher at Rock Nursery, says the already made swings are safe since their base is attached to the ground.
This means the stands should be firmly rooted in the ground to support any weight.
To ensure safe landing, let the base below the swing be made of either grass, dug and filled with sand, or rock free soil to avoid accidents.
The area should be cleaned everyday to remove undesired objects for a safe surface.
Make it your responsibility to check the firmness of the poles, ropes or chain before you sit the child on the swing.
Let it be the first place you inspect at home before the children wake up. Checking is the best way you can be sure.
Children with a swing set can have a lot of fun.
They enjoy a playground setting at home and if joined by friends, they learn to share and be social.
Safety
Though children enjoy the swing, it is important to ensure absolute safety. Mubiru notes that children can get hurt any time regardless of the object they are playing with. Being careful and installing the swing set properly will help a lot.
How do you erect a swing?
Start the process by planning carefully. Pick a spot that offers a shade, good drainage and measure the amount of space you have.
Know what your children like, if it is a combination of swinging and climbing, get a swing which allows for both.
When searching for a swing, remember the big one is not good. Very big swings risk the child getting injured. Swings for older children may not be suitable for preschool ones.
However, you should take into account that the children will grow and so looking for adjustable swings will be the best. When laying out the home playground, allow six feet or more of clear space all the way round to ensure children are able to use it without falling or jumping into other equipment.
Ensure all structures are firmly anchored and no sharp or rough edges to cause injuries.
All hooks should be closed to prevent slipping. Put soft material under the swing for safety in case of falling.
Wood chips, sand and small gravel are safe if used at a depth of 9-12 inches.
Children less than six years old should be watched all the time. Older children, too, need to be regularly supervised.
ASK a child what he or she wants for toys. Expect many gadgets to be mentioned, except the swing.
Many children think swings are not home toys.
We cannot blame them because having swings have only been left for schools and children’s parks.
Adiam Sertzu, an architect, says it is due to limited land that people no longer consider having swings in homes.
“The desire to generate income from each piece of land is responsible for the absence of swings in homes,†explains Sertzu.
If you are fortunate enough to have outdoor space and you have considered purchasing some outdoor equipment for your child to play, a swing should be one of them.
Playing inside the house is okay, but children should also be encouraged to play outdoors for several reasons.
First of all, Sertzu says swings children outdoors, reducing the risk of destroying property in the house.
Secondly, they are likely to have space to run around. In this way, they burn off more energy in addition to the health benefits from the fresh air and sunshine.
Sunshine enhances the body’s ability to use vitamin B and from it, they get vitamin D, good for the bones.
Swings, as popular outdoor toys, come in a range of sizes to cater for different ages.
If you can afford to buy the already made ones, there are swings with stands and a rope that can be adjusted to increase the height of the frame or lower and heighten the seat.
Other swings have interchangeable seats that adapt from the safety seats suitable for babies to the normal standard seats for older children.
Alternatively, if you cannot afford to get the already made swing, get a tyre or a strong piece of wood, with curved edges and tie it on a chain. Then fasten the chain on a firm tree branch in your garden for the children to play.
For safety, before you install the swing consider, the amount of space required.
Enough space is vital for the child to push forward and backward. That means nothing should be in the way to pose harm.
The things to bear in mind are walls, branches and any other obstacle which could either scratch or collide with the child, get entangled in the rope or joints, explains Sertzu.
The frames of the swing should be large and the rope long enough to cover a big area.
Annabel Mubiru, a teacher at Rock Nursery, says the already made swings are safe since their base is attached to the ground.
This means the stands should be firmly rooted in the ground to support any weight.
To ensure safe landing, let the base below the swing be made of either grass, dug and filled with sand, or rock free soil to avoid accidents.
The area should be cleaned everyday to remove undesired objects for a safe surface.
Make it your responsibility to check the firmness of the poles, ropes or chain before you sit the child on the swing.
Let it be the first place you inspect at home before the children wake up. Checking is the best way you can be sure.
Children with a swing set can have a lot of fun.
They enjoy a playground setting at home and if joined by friends, they learn to share and be social.
Safety
Though children enjoy the swing, it is important to ensure absolute safety. Mubiru notes that children can get hurt any time regardless of the object they are playing with. Being careful and installing the swing set properly will help a lot.
How do you erect a swing?
Start the process by planning carefully. Pick a spot that offers a shade, good drainage and measure the amount of space you have.
Know what your children like, if it is a combination of swinging and climbing, get a swing which allows for both.
When searching for a swing, remember the big one is not good. Very big swings risk the child getting injured. Swings for older children may not be suitable for preschool ones.
However, you should take into account that the children will grow and so looking for adjustable swings will be the best. When laying out the home playground, allow six feet or more of clear space all the way round to ensure children are able to use it without falling or jumping into other equipment.
Ensure all structures are firmly anchored and no sharp or rough edges to cause injuries.
All hooks should be closed to prevent slipping. Put soft material under the swing for safety in case of falling.
Wood chips, sand and small gravel are safe if used at a depth of 9-12 inches.
Children less than six years old should be watched all the time. Older children, too, need to be regularly supervised.