1) They teach cause and effect
Lightly moving a rattle usually activates a sound, which provides immediate auditory feedback. The instantaneous feedback teaches babies that their action (moving the rattle) causes a reaction (sound). Since rattle are extremely easy to activate, they are the first toys that show babies that they can manipulate their environment.
2) They grab a baby’s attention
In order to interact with your baby you first have to get her attention. A baby rattle with a cool unique sound is a perfect way to do so. Shake a rattle using a variety of beats and rhythms and watch your baby turn to you with excitement and curiosity.
3) They encourage grasping skills
Grasp gradually changes as a baby grows. Babies initially grasp objects using their whole hand. By one year, they can pick up small objects (Cheerios, beads) using their thumb and index fingers. Baby rattles are the most comfortable toys to grasp since they are held with the whole hand. These initial attempts at grasping will help strengthen the hand and fingers in preparation for more mature grasp patterns.
4) They can be used to promote gross motor milestones
Rattles and rattle sounds can be very motivating for babies. Putting them slightly out of reach and encouraging a baby to get them can help promote motor milestones such as crawling, reaching, or even pulling to stand.
5) They foster hand eye-coordination
Babies practice hand-eye coordination by first swatting at and eventually reaching for desired objects with more precise movement. Providing motivating and engaging sounds will encourage a baby to practice reaching until they can do so accurately.
6) They promote cognitive milestones
Rattles can promote cognitive milestones, such as object permanence. Hide a rattle out of sight and encourage a baby to look for it. Rattles can also teach how to follow one-step directions and imitation. For example, say, “give me the rattle,” or shake a rattle, then ask a baby to do the same.
7) They help develop independent play.
Rattles are one of the first toys that a baby can manipulate independently.
8) They provide tactile stimulation.
Rattles come in a variety of textures and shapes for babies to feel. Many can also be used as teething toys that provide tactile stimulation to the mouth. Teething toys teach babies about tactile properties that babies will learn to eventually discriminate by touch and sight (soft, hard, bumpy, hot, cold).
9) They provide auditory (hearing) stimulation
Rattles can introduce babies to a variety of sounds. Shaking and banging rattles on different surfaces allow babies to experience different tones, volumes, and rhythms.
10) They encourage exploration
Rattles encourage curiosity, observation, and manipulation which result in learning.
Take a look at some of my favorite rattle toys below…
Please note: I am a participant of the Amazon Services Associates Program and have included “affiliate links” for all the toys. This means that when you click the pictures or links provided and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about the Amazon Associates Program here.
