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Why do swings go so high?

Swings go high because each little push adds more and more energy.

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Pip’s answer

  1. Swings go high because each little push adds more and more energy.
  2. When you swing back and forth, you go up, then down, then up again. Wheee!
  3. Kicking your legs at just the right time is like giving yourself a push.
  4. Wow-ee, with the right timing, swinging high feels like flying!

Try it together

Can you sway back and forth, like a swing?

For grown-ups

A swing is a pendulum. By leaning back and pumping your legs at the right moments, you add a little energy on each swing, a process called resonance or 'pumping'. Timing your pushes with the swing's natural rhythm makes it go higher and higher.

Ask your child: When is the best moment to kick your legs on a swing?

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