Wild Play at the Digital Swing

The swing’s digital enhancement is a sound unit that interacts with the movement of the chain and reflects changes in such dimensions as the speed and height at which the child is swinging. These additional sources of information around swing playtime have encouraged Skovbjerg to explore whether the digital sounds have resulted in changed play activities, particularly the issue of risky versus safe play practices. Skovbjerg’s analysis and the feedback provided by the technological swing system indicate that children use the additional information to manage risk and security as part of their playtime. The conclusion she draws is that the digital swing not only supports active play but might also increase children’s physical competence, reducing danger by allowing safer risk taking.