Two Year Old Loves to Swing, Maybe to Much!!! Help

Swinging has to do with sensory integration. It could be that she is overwhelmed and swinging (just like infants) has a calming and/or stimulating effect. What you may inadvertently be doing is taking away her opportunity to soothe so she stands there and bulks. She may need some calm talk, to be held and/or extra time on the swing. This may sound like favoritism, but every child is different and sounds like she is not getting what her system is craving.

Also, a warning before you go to the park that she can have x number of pushes or time on the swing, and then a warning before it is time for her to get off. With a plan of what she can do next, possibly time in the sand (more sensory integration).

Jen

She probably needs to swing. Her vestibular system is developing and may need extra help, so, if you can, let her swing as much as possible. I know this may cause problems with the other children and behaviors, but if you can find some way to accomodate her, it will help and she will want/need less swinging eventually.

My son is 2 1/2 and it's the same issue, hehe. We also have a swing set at home and that's ALL he wants to do! I'm waiting to see what some of the responses will be cause I don't have an answer. If I walk away after good 20 min of pushing him on the swing he will have a melt down and SCREAM mama no, mama no!!! So I just sweep him up and take him inside the house, cause I'm scared my neighbors will call child services, hehe. I noticed he usually does this when he's tired... I try to teach him how to do it himself, but he doesn't seem to get it yet ;-) Good Luck-A.

I really like Jen's suggestion. When it's time to quit swinging take the time to get her involved in something else that's tactile. Sand is good but the park may not have a sand box. My grandkids like to pick up the wood chips and toss them in the air. This is OK when there aren't a lot of kids around. Sliding down the slide might help. She could probably learn how to do that on her own after you show her how several times. I've noticed that most kids, even those that young, like to run. They chase each other. Perhaps you could have her chase another child or chase her yourself.

Perhaps frequently talking with her during the times you're not at the park might help. Explain why it's important to share, that you get tired pushing her, etc. and ask her what she'd like to do when she get's off the swing. Find a book about sharing swing time and/or make up a story with her. Make her the main character, let her say the words about wanting to swing and how she feels when she has to stop. Stories often help children work thru situations.

What do you do when she won't stop crying, screaming? Perhaps you can do that before she gets going full force. Most of all, tho, never put her back on the swing. This teaches her that if she makes a big enough fuss she gets what she wants. Divert her attention by getting her started on something else or by holding her and being sympathetic to her feelings.

It may also be that, after you've tried various things, that you'll have to let her cry. It's OK to be disappointed and to express that disappointment. Soothe her with your voice while you're doing something else.

It will work best if you can stop being anxious about what other people think. If she is throwing a temper tantrum, other mothers know that to not pay attention is the way to go. Just because you do daycare does not mean that you know magic! Do what is the best thing for you and your daughter. I suspect that there will be more people sympathetic to your situation and acknowledging that you have to ignore her than those who will be critical.

I would let her swing at the end, not the beginning.

I saw a documentary once and it was showing this child that had to swing who had autism. Now, that's a pretty strong and scary thing, but I'm just throwing it into the mix of things to think about. Since you're not the mom, you can't bring it up to the doctor and if you say anything to the parent, it might just be to see if they have any explanation for this intense desire to swing. Give as much detail as you can as to length and whether or not the swining is slow and casual or fast and high.