Baby Rattles Are More Than Toys to Keep Your Baby Busy and How to Choose the Right One
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Sometimes a good intention isn't enough. A couple of years ago (way before I took my Montessori training), my best friend was expecting her first baby. I couldn't be more excited. I made a trip to my favorite local store with books and gifts. Looking at the toys in the kid's section, I found a rattle for babies. It looked perfect. Picture a white plastic rattle with a sphere at one end. When I shook the rattle, the sphere lit up. When I shook it again, the color of the sphere changed. What a cool gift! I took it. There were no doubts at that time.
Thinking about the rattle now, it was everything you want to avoid when choosing a rattle for your baby.
The rattle was:
heavy
too big for baby's little hands
made of plastic
With my baby, I was better equipped. I offered her rattles that are:
light
small size for her little hands (easy to manipulate)
made of natural materials such as wood, metal... (natural materials offer your baby experience with different temperatures, textures, and weight)
made of various materials and have different shapes (this enriches your baby’s experience)
Note: before offering any rattle to your baby, check it for defects first
These were Emma’s favorite rattles:
Crocheted Rattle (made from organic cotton)
What is your baby learning when using rattles?
Baby rattles are underrated. Not only do they make a beautiful gift (if chosen well). They offer many learning opportunities for your baby and her senses. I’m talking about your baby’s sight, touch, and hearing.
Sight
Rattles come after tactile mobiles. After enough experience with the mobiles, you can introduce the first rattle to your baby. Usually, a baby of 3 months is ready for his first rattle.
Before placing a rattle in your baby’s hand, show it to him first. That way, he can experience the rattle visually first before touching it.
Touch
After seeing the rattle, your baby will feel its shape with her hand. She will eventually realize that the two sensations are connected. In other words, what she can feel in her hands is the shape she sees with her eyes. Her sight and touch are working together.
Cause-effect & Hearing
Your baby learns about cause-effect when he shakes his rattle.
First, he discovers that his movements result in sound. Then he realizes that the sound differs based on the movements he is making with the rattle. For example, when he shakes more vigorously, the sound of the rattle is louder.
Hand to hand transfer
Around six months, your baby will be able to move her rattle from one hand to another. This hand to hand transfer gives her a whole new experience with the rattle. She will intentionally pass the rattle from her left hand to the right and vice versa. This is an important skill for a baby that requires a lot of coordination on her part.
Another wonderful toy for hand to hand transfer is interlocking discs. You can offer it alongside rattles.
Does your baby have a favorite rattle? Please share it in the comments below.
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