The seesaw has been a child’s favorite since ancient Greece. Who wouldn’t want to be lifted in the air and then safely come back down. Many people call a seesaw, teeter totter. And riding it with a best friend was more thrilling since they had to form a partnership and work together. Besides the comradery needed for the seesaw there are other benefits of playing on a seesaw.
A seesaw looks like a simple piece of equipment, but its physical benefits for children go deep.
Think of a seesaw as the ultimate workout. One reason is it provides strength training. When a child pushes off the ground they enjoy the ride. and use different parts of their body.
Some muscles they use include:
Strengthening the core is imperative for developing children. That’s because the seesaw stabilizes their body while at the same time helping their arms and legs develop.
The core or abdominals (abs) include many muscles that work together. Some of these muscles include those located in the pelvis and hip bone. The spine is also dependent on the abs.
The diaphragm is part of the core muscles. A strong core provides good breathing patterns and efficient activation of the various muscles needed to perform everyday activities.
Because the core controls so many muscles, it improves:
The process of using the seesaw entails pushing off the ground and controlling it. Maintaining balance is imperative and the seesaw helps children enhance their coordination. Coordination is important for other activities including sports.
Pushing off with their leg muscles improves both the legs and glutes.
Children also use muscles when they go down and touch the ground. They need them to soften the landing and to keep from hitting the ground at full force.
It takes two to play on a seesaw. Communication and cooperation are developed by working together. Boarding the seesaw takes teamwork since only one can mount at a time. The seesaw must be balanced in order to climb aboard while someone is sitting on an end.
Also, if one child wants to leave the seesaw, the two must coordinate the landing.
Children work together on a seesaw and through their teamwork, they share their enjoyment. They learn to negotiate and support each other.
Communicating while on the seesaw encourages empathy, which develops their emotional intelligence and respect for others’ perspectives. This carries over into their social relationships.
Playing on a seesaw builds confidence and self-esteem. They learn to interact one-on-one with other children and accomplish fun tasks.
Cause and effect are taught when playing on a seesaw. It provides a hands-on lesson to understand that they must go down after they go up. They see the cause and effect of their action.
Understanding the action and reaction of using a seesaw is an important fundamental to cognitive development and problem-solving skills. With a seesaw, children learn about weight distribution.. They also learn that gravity pulls them back to Earth.
Spatial awareness improves because children learn to understand their position relative to their partner and seesaw. It’s important for children to have spatial awareness, which is crucial for navigation and coordination. These overflow into other areas of their lives.
Children must also learn how to take turns and have patience since sometimes they may have to wait for the ride.
Seesaws foster cooperation and even toddlers can use them. Toddler seesaws are lower to the ground and safe for kids as young as five. The two-seater has soft rubber landing pads under the seats to ensure soft landings.
Children should always face each other and never have their backs toward the other rider. This ensures maintaining balance and a smoother ride. Also, ensure that the children hold the seesaw with both hands.
Let them know that they should always use their feet when pushing off, never use hands to do this. Feet must be kept to the side, and never under the seesaw. Let the child know that they should bend their knees while moving down.
Children who are watching should stand back from the seesaw. Teach them never to stand underneath it. They must also not try to climb on it while it’s being used. The child should never touch any part of the seesaw while moving.
Sometimes, play can get a little rambunctious. Teach the child to push off gently., Playmates should dismount the seesaw gently and communicate with each other when they want to stop playing. A child should never jump off or let go.
The seesaw promotes teamwork. Without teamwork, it cannot be used. Children learn this quickly, and the result goes beyond just playing. The seesaw allows a holistic approach to child development.
It promotes physical health but also aids in acquiring cognitive abilities and socialization skills. This applies to all children and is inclusive in attracting children and enhancing their development.
Supervision is a must for the child to learn and develop safely. Encouraging children to “play fair” on a seesaw is part of the teaching process.
Teachers and parents should ensure the seesaw is age-appropriate for smaller children. That will keep them safe and growing strong.
Overall, the seesaw is an integral contributor to a child’s development.
A Seesaw must be safe and fun. To find that seesaw, contact Playworld today. They’ll find you a great seesaw and help you plan your overall playground.