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This is a child’s first swing set and is ideal for indoors and out. A small rock wall ascends to the top of the short slide. The swing has tall sides and back as well as a three-point safety belt. Embellishments include a pretend telescope and steering wheel to introduce pretend play fun.
Approx. Price: Over $100 Box Age Range: 1+ yrs # of Pieces: 1 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Bulky Directions: Simple Play Locations: Outdoor Adjustability: Strap Levels of Play: Beginner and Advanced Batteries: None needed
Soothing
Promotes Active Play
Hands-on Approach to Learning
Provides Pretend Play Opportunities
One-Piece Unit
Durable
High Contrasting Colors
Tactilely Stimulating
Inviting Due to Uniqueness
Different Shapes and/or Colors
Open-ended
Can Be Used Independently or w/Others
High Quality
Connects/Assembles Securely
Easy to Clean
Simple
Upright Position for Play
Fosters Imagination/Promotes Creativity
Developmental processes promoted
Patience
Spatial Relationships e.g. Under, Over, On, Off
Reaching/Arm Extension
Core Strengthening, Trunk Strength, Stability
Coordinated Movement
Imagination/Pretend Play
Strategic Thinking
Problem Solving
Finger and Hand Control and Dexterity
Physical Range of Motion
Tactile Discrimination
Proprioceptive Input
Gross Motor
Balance
Foot Placement
Weight Shifting
Creativity
Self Esteem
Motor Planning
Bilateral Coordination
Visual Acuity
Object Recognition and Identification
Sequential Thought
Cooperative Hand Movements
Turn Taking
Cause and Effect
Memory and Recall
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
The swing seat provides high back and side support.
The swing has a three-point safety belt.
The swing is suspended by rods and therefore has a gentle rocking movement. This slow movement provides a child with a good introduction to swings.
The swing suspension rods are solid, not chains that can pinch fingers.
The slide has slightly raised sides to help with positioning.
The slide is short from top to bottom.
Skills
Hand-eye coordination is worked on through play.
The rock wall helps children develop motor planning, foot placement and coordination skills.
Sequential thought process is developed as children execute the steps necessary to slide down the slide.
Children increase core strength as they sit up to swing and slide.
Gross motor skills of climbing, crawling and body maneuvering are enhanced as children climb up the rock wall, crawl through the openings, slide down the slide or get in the swing.
Play Ideas
Climb up the ramp to the top of the castle and go down the slide.
Have the child push the swing with a doll in it so that the child can pretend to be the caregiver.
Have a child sit at the top of the slide and roll a ball down to a waiting playmate.
Using a rope or an adult’s hands, have the child climb up the incline of the slide. This provides practice for balance, foot positioning and increases leg strength. When using a rope, proper spotting should take place so the child does not fall backwards.
Have a child push something weighted in the swing, such as a weighted doll (or use a sack of flour or sugar). This can help children work on upper body and arm strength.
Once the child is comfortable with sliding, have him slide down with his arms stretched out to the side, straight up overhead or behind his head. The different positions require different muscles and work on balance techniques for the body.
Adaptation Ideas
Extra support such as a rolled towel can be added to the seat of the swing.
Place non-skid material, such as rubberized shelf liner, on the swing seat. This can help keep a child in position to safely swing.
The SwingAlong Castle can be used to open children’s imaginations.
Several small children can play simultaneously, leading to social interaction.
The slide is short from top to bottom. This can help children work through fears of sliding movement and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The rocking of the swing can be soothing for some children.
The simple, concrete concept of the SwingAlong Castle is easy for children to understand.
Skills
Play on the SwingAlong Castle and with the attached steering wheel and telescope can encourage imaginative play and open the lines of communication and storytelling.
Play on the SwingAlong Castle can promote basic directional vocabulary such as up/down and on/off.
This set can encourage social play. Children can begin playing independently but in close proximity on the SwingAlong Castle and gradually progress to social interaction and cooperative play.
Because the unit is small and it has one slide, one climbing rock wall and one swing, children learn to communicate and negotiate with each other. This also provides sharing, turn taking and waiting practice.
Play Ideas
Pretend you live in a castle.
Pretend you are on a pirate ship.
Pretend you are climbing a mountain.
When pushing a child in the swing, periodically stop so the child needs to verbally request, “More, please.”
Have the child pretend she is a day care provider and her “kids” are her own stuffed animals and dolls. She is in charge making sure her kids play nice, have fun and are safe.
Play catch while sitting in the swing.
Have the child look at board books while sitting on the landing. This small area may give them a confined area to focus.
Adaptation Ideas
Give guidelines to the children such as each child can slide down the slide one time and then must get back in line or use a kitchen timer for equal time on the swing. This may also help with transition.
Use a stuffed animal or doll to demonstrate the activities for children who may be apprehensive to participate.
The swing is suspended by rods and therefore has a gentle rocking movement. This slow movement provides a child with a good introduction to swings.
The swing has a three-point safety belt.
The slide is short from top to bottom. This can help children work through fears of sliding movement and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The simple, concrete concept of the SwingAlong Castle is easy for children to understand.
The SwingAlong Castle offers plenty of opportunity to develop cognitive skills.
Skills
Problem solving skills are developed as children figure out how to climb up the rock wall to be able to go down the slide.
The slide, climbing wall and swing, along with crawl through holes, provide children with choice making opportunities.
Pretend play is encouraged with the steering wheel and swiveling pretend telescope.
Sequential thought process is developed as children execute the step necessary to slide down the slide.
There is ample space for several small children to play simultaneously. This leads to negotiation, turn taking and social play.
Play Ideas
Using the small rock wall, pretend to climb up a mountain. At the top, use the pretend telescope to look down at all the small villages and streets. Embellish this play using small activity houses and toy cars as props.
Children can pretend that they are a prince or princess on the castle looking out over their land.
When pushing a child in the swing, periodically stop so the child needs to verbally request, “More, please.”
When the child is at the top of the slide, count, “1-2-3 go!” and then have the child slide down. This helps children wait, anticipate, listen and respond.
Use your own stuffed animal or doll. Have the child help it climb up the rock wall, slide down the slide or push it in the swing.
Race small cars down the slide.
Place a sheet over the unit to create a fort.
Have the child look at board books while sitting on the landing. This small area may give them a confined area to focus.
Pretend the swing is the king’s thrown.
Adaptation Ideas
At the beginning of play, show the child each aspect of the SwingAlong Castle so he is familiar with the play and action.
