Swing.
Right up there with throwing the football and climbing a tree, swinging is a foundational developmental necessity of childhood. Mom may not understand all the science behind it but she knows that there is something important about that swing. The vestibular system is very important in a child’s development and nothing activates it quite like the movement of a swing. Swinging also builds core muscle strength as the child must work against gravity to pull and push using his back muscles and core to stabilize his balance on the swing. Your child needs this activity as part of his physical development.
Swinging is also a very calming exercise when stress and anxiety is on the rise. Most kids love to move and they love to swing in fact they may crave it. Your hyperactive child may benefit greatly from swinging to help calm him. Is he begging to play a video game? Does he have that withdrawal look in his eye if he can’t get to the game?! Get him outside on a swing designed to go really high. There is a volume of research on how beneficial this is. Do you have a swing in your back yard? It may be time to get one, he is not too young. If you have one, upgrade your swing to fit your child. It is a simple easy activity packed full of huge benefits for all ages (including you!). The final benefit is that since you have to use two hands on the swing it is not convenient to try to game on your device when swinging!
