Baby rattles stimulate development through sight, sound, and touch. They teach cause and effect and help babies realize a world outside of them. Rattles should be inspected for safety and cleanliness. Commercial rattles are usually discarded as toddlers outgrow them, but heirloom rattles can be made from turned wood.
Baby rattles are simple toys designed to stimulate baby’s development through the senses of sight, sound and touch. Most are made from wood, plastic, rubber or fabric and contain small balls to generate a rattling sound. Manufacturers need to be particularly aware of potential choking hazards and sharp edges during the design phase, as both could potentially injure a child. Parents usually place rattles near their babies and allow them to interact naturally with the toys.
Rattles are more than just toys when it comes to baby development. A newborn’s vision is still underdeveloped for several months, leading him to become more of an auditory learner. When babies first encounter rattles, they may not even see the toys clearly. They begin to realize that a world outside of them really exists and can interact with the rattle through the grasping instinct. Holding a rattle and making familiar sounds gives very young babies their first notion of a subject-object world.
Another important stage in a child’s development is cause and effect. Baby rattles are designed to work consistently, so a baby learns early on that there is a direct relationship between their actions and their desired outcomes. If a baby was presented with a rattle that didn’t make any sounds, they would be very confused and frustrated. Different toys with different sounds, however, might stimulate a child’s natural sense of curiosity. This idea of different causes and effects leads directly to other early childhood toys, such as cell phones and blackboards.
Many rattles are sold with teething rings. Babies going through the painful process of teething can use both to soothe their gums. Babies also tend to process information about an object by tasting it, so all toys should be kept as clean as possible. They should also be inspected for cracks and other damage. The materials used for the jingle are not expected to be toxic, but accidental ingestion could be a frightening experience.
Commercial baby rattles are usually discarded as the baby develops into a toddler. Toddlers may still enjoy toys that make noise, but a rattle as such may no longer appeal to them. Some parents or grandparents can make sturdier toys called “heirloom rattles” out of turned wood. These rattles can be kept for future generations or kept as a permanent reminder of a baby’s first year of life.
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