Learning to propel oneself in a swing

Question

At what age do children generally learn to propel themselves in a swing? Is this something that they generally figure out on their own, or do parents/older siblings teach the skill? How do you teach it without personally demonstrating? (Swinging makes me dizzy, anymore.)

I can't remember how or when I learned. I do remember that I still much preferred the "baby" swing in preschool, but I don't know if I still needed to be pushed or not.

(My daughter is nearly 33 months old, and loves to be pushed in the swing. Incessantly. She's physically precocious and fearless, but doesn't generally follow instructions. I keep hoping anyway.)

Answer 1

I used to work in a preschool, and kids learn to swing at different ages, though most typically at 4-5 years. You can demonstrate the two positions of their feet while stationary (since it makes you dizzy): "kick" means to kick both your feet forward and "back" means to kick both your feet back underneath you. As you push them in the swing, you tell them "kick" and "back" at the appropriate times. It will take them awhile to get the rhythm right, and longer for it to actually propel them (they may not kick with enough force initially).

Another way to teach it is to play a game where you stand in front of them. You have to get them swinging, then you hold your two hands out in front and tell them to "kick" your hands. When they do, you push their feet back, saying "back". Your pushing will be giving them the momentum to keep swinging, while they get the rhythm of "kick" and "back."