Swing designed to promote attunement between child and caretaker

Abstract

The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for promoting attunement between a child and a caretaker comprising
 a. providing a swing that is configured so that the child and the caretaker may share the mutual enjoyment of a swinging motion while maintaining eye contact with one another;   b. causing the child and the caretaker to use the swing in a manner in which attunement may be promoted.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing comprises an adult swing seat and a child swing seat. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the child swing seat comprises a bucket swing seat, a chair swing seat, an inclusive play swing seat, or a cradle swing seat. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the adult swing seat comprises a board seat or a belt seat. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing comprises a first seat and a second seat, the second seat being vertically disposed between about six inches and about sixteen inches above the first seat. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , in which the second seat is vertically disposed between about nine inches and about thirteen inches above the first seat. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing comprises a first seat and a second seat, and in which at least one of the first seat and the second seat is vertically adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing is configured for public use. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing is configured for residential use. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing is suitable to seat a child having of an age of five years or less. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , in which the swing is suitable to seat a child having an age between three months and four years. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , in which the swing is suitable to seat a child having an age between six months and two years. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the child is an infant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the child is a toddler. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the swing is configured so that the adult is able to touch the ground with his or her feet and the child is unable to touch the ground with his or her feet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , in which the swing is configured so that the adult operates the swing by pushing off of the ground with his or her feet.