By Jeanne Zuech, Head Teacher
Hey, stop the swing! I want to get on!” This phrase can be heard throughout the day, on any day, floating in the air in the outdoor play space of East PM.
They’re talking about the nest swing—a cross between a swing and a hammock that resembles a bird’s nest. It consists of a sturdy ring framing a netted seat and hangs from two strong ropes.
The site of much activity and adventure, the swing engages children’s large muscles, fosters increased balance and encourages children to be highly physically engaged.
There are two ways children typically play on the nest swing. One way is when children stand up on the base of the swing to hold on to the ropes, as seen in the photo, to get the swing moving. The second way is when children sit on the netted seat and sway their bodies to add to the swing’s momentum. As the swing moves back and forth, children hold on to the ropes and adjust their bodies to maintain balance and propel the nest higher. It certainly seems fun, yet to be a nest-swinger also requires attention and responsibility. Children gain strength and spatial awareness when they choose to climb aboard the nest swing.
Beyond the physical experience, using the swing often has a social component. Although occasionally we’ll find a child or two lying leisurely on the nest, lounging as if on a vacation hammock, the nest swing is predominantly a highly interactive social experience.
Initially, joining others on the swing might mean a child is thinking about:
- Where do I sit?
- Is there room for me?
- I want to sit right there!
- I want a turn to stand and pump the swing!
Once on the swing, there might be other social strategies to consider, such as:
- Pretend play
- Joke telling
- Singing and more singing (songs from Moana and Frozen seem to echo in the air even after the children have gone home!)
- Science discussions
- Chats about family or pets
The Conversation
Listen in on this hour-and-a-half-long conversation, which took place on the swing as children came and went. It started with three children, yet eventually included as many as eight. Players included Maya, Bea, Gigi, Jingshu, Miyu, Wanda, Asha and Caroline.
Maya: Want to play family with me?
All: Yes!
Bea: Is everyone OK? OK!
The children start the swing into motion.
Gigi: I can sit like this!
Miyu: Want faster and higher?
Gigi: Sometimes my dad pushes me high.
Maya: If you want to have a play date, I’m available but you have to talk to my mom—she does all that.
Other children run over to join as Jingshu and Asha climb into the center section.
Jingshu: Wait for me! Let’s go really high!
Maya: I can do the push-jump—it’s really cool!
Miyu and Jingshu: More faster! Faster, faster, faster...[laughing]
Miyu: You like it high?
Maya: Now I can sit down and just enjoy the ride we made.
All: Whee! [more laughing]
Jingshu: I want to go higher!
Children keep swaying as a team and laughing together.
Maya: At nighttime, look at the moon. You know what? Some flowers only open at night.
Maya: If I say “A” someone else can stand up to push. When I say “B” it is my turn again.
Maya: Is the ground a little bit shaky?
Miyu: More, more, more! Faster, faster!
Maya: “B”—can it be my turn now?
Jingshu: Sure!
It is crowded on the swing. The central section is full and two children are sustaining standing positions by holding fiercely to the ropes.
Maya: The wood chips are not pleasant on your feet.
All: We do it higher, higher, higher!!
All singing You’re Welcome from Moana: “What can I say except you’re welcome!”
All: That’s Maui! The Moana song! [Laughing]
All singing Let It Go from Frozen: “Let it go! Let it go!”
After a few minutes, the song fades and a few children get off.
Maya: Want to play family?
Gigi: I’ll be the sister.
Miyu: I have gymnastics. It is almost Happy Halloween. My home has pumpkins.
Gigi: Me, too! I have three pumpkins.
While children play, the roles of educators at Bing vary throughout the day. Sometimes we are supporting children to enter play or solve problems, and sometimes we are guiding or observing a game. Other times, teachers are investigators alongside children. However, one of the most important roles as an educator at Bing is to not be in the play and not interrupt unless safety concerns arise.
The conversation on the nest swing was one of those instances when no adult involvement was needed. It didn’t matter if the conversation made sense to adults or if everyone got a turn to talk. The priority was for this group to freely engage with each other in a dynamic experience on the swing, making friendships organically just by being near peers and joining in.
So, next time you are in the yard in East Room (or any yard at Bing), glance over to the nest swing. You just might be witness to a friendship being formed as children swing together, hands tight on the ropes, laughter resounding round the yard.