The first thing we wanted to do in our new backyard was get our little man a swing. Our trees aren’t quite big enough so we are using our pergola over our back patio. Noah loves the swing. We use a very large one at our therapy sessions, and Noah has seen his fair share of swings in other people’s backyards. We have been waiting patiently to have a swing of our very own and today is the day.
My favorite part of swinging is Noah’s laugh. He does it every time he gets in the swing, and I can’t get enough of it. He just giggles away like he is having the best time ever. The laugh also encourages us to keep pushing to continue the fun. He has trained us well.
We didn’t buy this swing for any other purpose but for Noah (and us) to have fun. However there are some great side benefits to swinging, not only for children with Down syndrome, but for all kids.
We will often start our occupational therapy sessions with swinging as it helps wake up Noah’s muscles and get him to activate his core. The movement forces him to engage his core to keep him sitting up. It helps him be aware of his body and the different movements he needs to make to maintain his balance.
Swinging helps with sensory integration. Two sensing systems we have (and no I am not just talking about taste, touch, smell, hearing, sight) are our vestibular system and proprioception. All of our systems intertwine so we can move with ease and experience our environment. These two senses are vital to be able to do this.
1. Vestibular System
Our vestibular system is in our inner ear and helps us know if we are moving and which direction we are going. It is essential to balance. It is the reason we get motion sickness or feel like the room is spinning if you are every diagnosed with vertigo. We actually have three loops in our inner ear and the direction of the fluid inside tells our brain how we are moving. God’s design always blows me away. If you apply this to swinging, you are moving in multiple directions and having to balance on the seat, all integrating our vestibular system to figure out what in the world is going on.
2. Proprioception
Proprioception is our sense of knowing our body and where our different parts are located in relation to each other and how they are moving. It can be described as body awareness. There are constant messages being sent from our peripheral body (through proprioceptors and nerves) to our brain and ears telling them where these parts are located and what they are doing. Again apply this to swinging, and the body has to figure out where you are in space and how to control a moving object.
Movement involves so many different messages from our body and swinging is just one tool used to help our little guys figure out how to interpret those messages and use their bodies to the best of their ability.
Have you discovered any “hidden” benefits of using your child’s favorite toys or activities.
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Love reading your blog! I AMA teacher of special needs students at the high school level. I am teaching two students with Downs Syndrome, a male and a female. K is 19, and very quiet. She knows all her states and capitals, can read really well, but struggles with comprehension. Verbally, she is pretty easy to understand, but isn't very proactive with speaking freely, nor using long sentences. D is 17, very outgoing, difficult to understand, but has wonderful gross motor. I think parenting played a big part in the development of these two students. Wonder what I would have done differently, if these students had been my own children. Like you, I would have treated them like nothing was different. I have wonderful students, and I'm a tough teacher, always striving to get my students to be independent thinkers and doers. Wish I could get all my parents on board with the same thinking....
OMG, I can actually post now!!
Annette Copher Oviedo Wow, it sounds like you are a great teacher! I hope Noah has teachers like you when he is in school! Are are you located?
By the way, I'm glad you can post also...where you having problems before?
All I know about the swing is that when Caitlin was a couple of weeks old, we put her in one. She was a crier, but if I put the swing on high, she fall asleep or just sit there, I was worried she might get hurt/shaken. When I lowered it, she cry all over again. Needless to say, we left in on high. It was the handcrank type, so we'd sleep for 30 mins, crank, and sleep again!
I am in south eastern New Mexico. Your old way of posting just didn't jive with my IPad, not sure why...
Rose Chang Chiu I used to live in south san fransico how old is Catilin I am 20 and i have CP
Rose Chang Chiu Oh...the hand crank kind! That's old school..I like it!!!! :)
Veronica Navarro We really like San Fransico. Abbie Smith and I have been once. We want to go back! :)
NoahsDad.com bring noah
Veronica Navarro I can't wait to. I know he will really like it.
Veronica Navarro I can't wait to. I know he will really like it.
NoahsDad.com come in the summer we could catch a baseball game
Veronica Navarro That would be awesome! Do you still live near San Fran?
Rick Smith yeah i do in between SF and Standford
Veronica Navarro awesome!
I'm interested to hear how many other children are using a swing in their OT / PT development.
Used to have a swing in my classroom, but admin wasn't sure if it was installed safely, so they had me take it down. It was there when I arrived.
Annette Copher Oviedo Wow...a swing in the classroom? Sounds like an awesome classroom!
Yep, we use a swing like the ones I've seen in your videos. And we have a swing outside at our house that James LOVES.
Lydia Norvell That's awesome! You should post some videos / pictures of James swinging in it sometimes! :)
Lydia Norvell That's awesome! You should post some videos / pictures of James swinging in it sometimes! :)
Wonderful post about sensory integration! I am a middle school teacher for medically fragile students, and I am thankful that our school is equipped with indoor and outdoor swings-hammock swings, wheelchair swings, and etc. I will have to get my kids swinging tomorrow. Noah is adorable, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words! Middle school teachers are awesome by the way! I do a lot of work w/ middle school students. Your classroom sounds awesome. Do you teach in public school system?
We did a lot of swinging and rocking when Eric was an infant and toddler and I truly believe it is a huge reason as to why he is so verbal. Eric's speech therapist educated me on the importance of rocking an infant and how that stimulates the inner ear and how that contributes to speech and language development as you explained so well! My son is now 25 and I LOVE your site and pics. Brings back so many wonderful memories of when Eric was a baby! Looking back I did so much for him at such a young age as a mom! I was a whole 20 years old. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your comment. Eric sounds like a great guy! What's he up to these days?
Fantastic post. It makes me want to install a swing in my doorway because it is so cold outside here. I remember my first 2 girls laughing so much in the swing!!!
You should! What type of swings have you seen that work well in the doorway? I don't think I've seen any before.
I never knew about the swing. I can't wait to try it once the weather gets a little (I mean alot) warmer here in Michigan! My daughter, Kara-16 months, loves a mirror. I have a full-length one in my room, and I can set her in front of it, and it will keep her entertained forever. She talks to herself, waves at herself, raises both hands over her head and twists back and forth. Her interaction with that baby she sees in the mirror is wonderful. I love to sit and watch her.
Oh....yah mirrors are awesome! Noah really likes looking in a mirror also. And...he is also starting to wave! It's so much fun watching him take each little step.
Do you guys have any other children?
I loved hearing Noah's little giggles too! This was such a great post! I really wish it wasn't so cold and snow covered out side! We have a whole Little Tikes village in our back yard! I went a little crazy last summer. I knew it would all benefit Sydney for therapy reasons! Syd giggles just like this in her swing! Pushing my babies in their swings is one of my favorite things to do on a nice day!
I know, his giggles are awesome. I love hearing them also.
One of the great things about Texas is if the weather is cold one day, it will probably be warm the next...
The Little Tikes Village sounds awesome! We're a bit behind on our videos, but I think in a few weeks I'll be getting to the point were Noah's grandpa comes over and installs a bigger play set for Noah. He really likes it. :)
Rick Smith Maybe I should tell my hubby we need to move to Texas! I do not like the cold weather at all.
I liked the date on this video..it was the day after my birthday! It's okay you're a little behind...we all just love seeing Noah! I can't wait to see his new playset! After seeing this post, I think my hubby needs to build a swingset for this summer. Right now we only have the two infant swings. Tommy needs a big boy swing, plus I don't want to worry about Syd not having one! :-) I have a picture somewhere in my mobile uploads from this past summer of the Little Tikes Village! It is pretty awesome
Melanie Postich Ward I can't wait to see a picture of it! :) By the way, one thing you should know about Texas....the summers are HOT! :) This summer we several days in a row that are over 110! Can you believe that.....!
Melanie Postich Ward I can't wait to see a picture of it! :) By the way, one thing you should know about Texas....the summers are HOT! :) This summer we several days in a row that are over 110! Can you believe that.....!
NoahsDad.com That is why I say we have Bipoler weather one day hot next day cold are rainy {Like yestrday and sunday night would not suprise me one bit if it became sunny today all the sudden. lol
NoahsDad.com OKay yeah I don't know if I would like that either!! haha!! We had some really hot days but its not the norm here in PA! I just am ready for this cold weather to over! We have all been sick and stuck in the house for over a month! I am just ready for a nice day! :-)
Christina K Cruz Ha,ha..I know just what you mean! :)
Melanie Postich Ward I want to see some snow man pictures before the sun comes out though...! :)
NoahsDad.com Haha guess that means I must go outside now!! LOL!! :-) When Tommy comes home for school I will have them build a snowman for their buddy Noah!! :-)
Melanie Postich Ward awwwww that would be awesome! :)
Love this, my daughter is senory intergration too.
Thank you! But you lost me....does your daughter have Down syndrome? Sensory integration is something that every child can do..not something someone is. So I'm confused. Sorry if I missed something...it's been a long week! :)
How old is your daughter by the way?
my sister in law showed me this blog. I have such a tender heart for special needs, i never thought any of my kids would have any. but all three of them have a form of SID/SPD. Its hard finding help....still trying to
We live in texas too!!
NoahsDad.com my daughters are 2,4,6 all with sensory intergration disorder also known as sensory processing disorder
Sorry i wasnt clear, not downs syndrome
Dave N Maggie Krantz When you say hard finding help, what do you mean? Support system? Friends? Family? Also we're in Dallas, what part of Texas are you guys from?
Dave N Maggie Krantz When you say hard finding help, what do you mean? Support system? Friends? Family? Also we're in Dallas, what part of Texas are you guys from?
NoahsDad.com , financially hard, to go from a doctor/pedi to either TSRH or where ever they can be seen for help OT wise. Its expensive. we are in the New Boston area.
Dave N Maggie Krantz What is TSRH? And I didn't know there was a New Boston in Texas. Wow. Learn something new every day. :)
Rick Smith Texas Scottish Rite in Dallas. Its by Texarkana. Right in the corner by Arkansas.
Dave N Maggie Krantz Oh yah..I know right where that is. My wife works at the hospital next door. :)
NoahsDad.com oh very cool!
Dave N Maggie Krantz :)
Thanks Rick, they are great kids! Yes, public school in Michigan.
That's awesome. I really enjoy hearing about public schools that are doing great things like what you describe! Keep up the great work. By the way, how did you come across our blog? I'm glad you did! :)
That's awesome. I really enjoy hearing about public schools that are doing great things like what you describe! Keep up the great work. By the way, how did you come across our blog? I'm glad you did! :)
My son has always liked some sort of sensory integration- from him spinning in circles when he was younger to scary ,fast fairground rides as he has got older. I remember his occupational therapist saying he craved it and still does. When he was small he used to like being wrapped up like a big tight squeeze in a gym-mat- think he enjoyed the secure, tight feeling. He has told me it makes his tummy tickle and 1 of the rare times I hear him laugh and genuinely giggle. (he is 14 with high-functioning autism/ADHD)
Thanks for your comment. Noah likes being squeezed up tight also (mostly by hugging!) :)
Do you have any other children besides your 14 year old?