Why do swings go so high?
Swings go high because each little push adds more and more energy.

Pip’s answer
- Swings go high because each little push adds more and more energy.
- When you swing back and forth, you go up, then down, then up again. Wheee!
- Kicking your legs at just the right time is like giving yourself a push.
- 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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