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When children start holding the rattle. When can a newborn be given a rattle, at what months does the child begin to hold it? When to give your baby a rattle in his hand

When children start holding the rattle. When can a newborn be given a rattle, at what months does the child begin to hold it? When to give your baby a rattle in his hand

24.01.2024

A rattle is a newborn's first entertainment. With its help, the baby develops a grasping reflex and begins to focus attention on bright objects. It is necessary to carefully select a toy, avoiding structures made from harmful materials or with loose parts. You should not buy things that are too colorful, which will irritate your baby.

Optimal age for introducing a toy

Parents are often interested in the age at which a child can be given a rattle. From the first weeks of life, the baby begins to be interested in catchy objects in his mother’s hands. Multi-colored toys should flash before his eyes, which he can follow with his eyes. To do this, hang classic stretch marks or soft sling rattles over the crib.

Newborns have a well-developed grasping reflex. They easily hold a ring-shaped rattle in the fist. In the first month of life, babies hold objects unconsciously. At this age, they respond to loud sounds and bright colors of toys. To develop tactile sensations and logical skills, older children are given textile “rustles” and puzzles.

At what weeks does a newborn show interest in a rattle? Only at the 7th week of life does the baby consciously try to explore the thing held in his palm. Subsequently, his interest in the toy goes through the following stages:

3 months - the desire to pick up and shake a rattle that is in the field of view (more details in the article:);
5 months – lifting a bright toy from the floor with one hand;
6 months – concentrating on several objects at the same time, transferring a toy from one palm to another.

Getting to know rattles is a fascinating process for the baby and unforgettable moments for parents

How to teach a baby to hold a rattle?

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To teach a baby to hold a rattle, you need to interest him in a bright object. From the first weeks of a child’s life, parents train his attention, concentrating the baby’s gaze on a colorful object. Holding the toy at a distance of 25-30 cm from the baby’s eyes, it is moved from side to side, up and down.
When the child is completely interested in the rattle, you can begin to develop fine motor skills of the fingers. You need to massage and straighten the baby's fists, fixing his interest on his hands. After this, the first exercise is carried out - turning the baby’s gaze to the toy, you need to bring it closer, touching the baby’s palm.
Having shown interest in the rattle, the baby will definitely want to hold it. To do this, you need to unclench the child’s fist and put the thing in it.
Your baby's attempt to grab it may look hesitant. You need to help him by inserting the toy so that 4 fingers grab the ring, and the thumb overlaps them.
When the child has learned to hold a rattle, you need to move his hand in different directions so that the toy remains in his field of vision. After this, you need to bring your free hand closer to the thing being held, allowing the baby to grab it with both hands. This will help him quickly learn to transfer an object from one palm to another.
Types and rules for choosing rattles
The rattle not only promotes concentration, but also develops the baby’s thinking abilities. Depending on the texture and additional functions, the following types of rattles are distinguished:
Pendants are the first toys children encounter. The product is attached above the crib or stroller so that it is in the baby’s field of vision. When the child begins to voluntarily reach for the rattle, it is lowered lower.
Bracelets are an ideal tool for developing baby’s motor skills. Having noticed a bright rattling toy on his wrists and ankles, the child strives to touch it, developing his flexibility.
The ring is a light rattle that the baby can hold in his hand independently. Made in the form of a keychain that makes noise when shaken and attracts a child.
Soft - toys used to develop sensitivity in children. They are sewn from fabrics and filled with small balls that improve the baby's tactile sensations.
Teethers – for babies over 6 months. These models are made of soft rubber and contain a cooling gel, which makes it easier for babies to cope with painful teething.

Rattles and teethers (we recommend reading:)
Regardless of the form of the toy and the functions it performs, parents should first of all be guided by the safety of the product. Rattles are purchased from reliable stores that provide product quality certificates. A good thing is made of non-toxic material and has no sharp corners. Its parts are tightly pressed and do not loosen when swinging.
In addition to quality, the following criteria are important when choosing a rattle:
Color and texture. The rich colors of the toy quickly capture the baby’s attention, and the smooth surface eliminates the risk of injury to the baby’s thin skin.
Sound. The noise should be loud, but not harsh, causing harm to the baby’s hearing. To develop a child’s musical abilities, choose toys that make natural sounds and simple melodies.
Water resistance. To avoid infection of the baby, rattles must be cleaned daily. A high-quality toy can easily withstand exposure to moisture and detergents.

The best rattle manufacturers
The market offers inexpensive products from various companies, which cannot always boast of an impeccable reputation. It is better to purchase a more expensive toy, but from a trusted manufacturer.
Canpol babies. A popular toy brand that combines high quality products with affordable prices. On forums it is often described as the best manufacturer of things for children.
Heimess. A German brand that offers its customers safe products that can be given to people with allergies. The company produces manual assembly of rattle parts. Wood is used to make holders, and water-based paints are used for painting.
Teddy company. The manufacturer specializes in the production of soft toys filled with polyester. The management personally monitors the release of goods, and therefore the company is famous for its high quality products.
TAF Toys. A well-known Israeli brand specializing in the production of toys with musical motifs of famous classical works. The design of the rattles is developed by children's illustrators. The manufacturer carefully monitors the production process to eliminate defects.
Halilit. A brand famous for high-quality reproduction of melodies in toys. Professional musicians take part in the production of musical rattles, recreating sounds from notes. From the first months of life, the baby gets used to high-quality tunes that develop his musical abilities.
Tiny Love. The manufacturer provides a huge selection of rattles depending on texture, material and additional functions. The disadvantage of toys is the excessively loud sound, which tires the baby.
Spiegelburg. Popular German manufacturer of soft rattles. The company developed from a children's publishing house that created many fairy-tale characters. Today they have created their material embodiment in fabric toys.

In addition to entertainment, a good rattle develops hand sensitivity, thinking and musical abilities of the baby. When choosing a toy, pay attention not so much to the appearance, but to the quality of the build and materials. You should buy the product in trusted stores that sell products from well-known manufacturers with quality certificates.

Clinical and perinatal psychologist, graduated from the Moscow Institute of Perinatal Psychology and Reproductive Psychology and Volgograd State Medical University with a degree in clinical psychology

What could be easier - choosing a rattle for a child? But this choice must be approached very responsibly, since it is with a rattle for newborns that the baby’s learning process begins. During the first year of life, rattles help the baby acquire various skills and contribute to his psycho-emotional and physical development.

The baby's learning process begins with rattles

Rattle pendants. Rattles are hung above the crib and stroller. They can be simple or mobile-based with a music module.
Rattle bracelets and rattle socks. Fabric rattles with Velcro tape. They are placed on the baby’s arms and legs and help develop coordination of movements and muscle activity.
Ring rattles (oval, diamond, square, triangle). Ordinary rattles for a child's hands.
Teether rattles. Rattles intended during teething. They can be made in the form of a ring or any other shape, with or without a cooling gel filler, a simple or textured silicone surface. The surface of the teether in contact with the baby’s gums is soft enough not to injure the gums when pressed, and moderately hard for chewing, gnawing and simply “rubbing” in the mouth (see article on teethers).
Rattles-rustles. Soft fabric rattles with various rustling fillings in individual elements.
Rattles-slingo toys. Sling mothers often use rattles and sling toys tied to the sling to entertain and distract the baby in a sling. A child of five months or more sitting in a sling is busy at this time not with tugging at his mother’s hair or earrings, but with a bright and pleasant “taste and touch” sling toy.

All types of rattles can use mono materials (only plastic, fabric, silicone) or a mixture of them, which is more interesting and educational for the child. But parents should pay attention not only to which rattle to choose, but also to how to choose the right rattle for the child.

How to choose a rattle?

When purchasing rattles for children's first games, young parents should make the following basic requirements:

Environmental friendliness of the material and safety of the product itself. Rattles must be made of child-safe material that does not emit harmful substances. Rattles should not have sharp corners that could injure the baby. They must be strong and can withstand being hit by a child with a rattle on various surfaces or falling on the floor.
Bright colors, various shapes and surface textures. The brighter and more varied the appearance of rattles, the more interesting they are to a child who is just beginning to explore the world in a playful way.
Various fillers that cause different sounds - crackling, ringing, crunching, rustling, etc. The acoustic effect produced by rattles with beads of various sizes or crunchy filling is of great importance here.
Possibility of cleaning, boiling or washing. The child often puts rattles in his mouth and throws them on the floor. Because of this, the rattle must withstand almost daily washing or handling.

Video:

At what age should rattles be given?

You can and should give your baby rattles almost from birth.

A newborn baby is capable of concentrating attention and following a bright and rattling object in his mother’s hands with his eyes from the age of two weeks.

Due to the developed grasping reflex, a baby of this age can also hold (but nothing more) in his fist a small rattle of a certain shape - usually a ring or an oval with small objects suspended on it that make a sound when they hit each other.

In the first month of life, the child begins to hold the rattle, still unconsciously and reflexively.

When does a child begin to hold a rattle consciously?

One of the first rattles for newborn babies are rattle pendants for a crib or stroller.

Hanging rattles for a crib or stroller

They can be either simple or mobile-based with or without a music module. Hanging rattle toys are usually removable and made of fabric or plastic. Such rattles teach a newborn baby to focus his gaze on static and moving objects, and develop his visual and auditory skills.

For a two-month-old baby, the rattle pendants need to be hung lower. Waving his arms and touching the rattles, the child will sooner begin to try to reach and grab them. The development of coordination and fine motor skills of the hands begins through tactile sensations.

From about three months of age, the baby begins to consciously hold the ring rattle in his hand, pull it into his mouth and “taste” it.

different types of rattles

The child begins to pay attention to literally everything - color, different sounds of rattle fillers or hanging bells. The child begins to develop his own preferences for this or that rattle, which promotes mental and emotional development, helps the development of coordination of movements and muscle activity.

From the age of four months (the age depends on the beginning of the eruption of the first milk teeth), the child begins to hold a teething rattle, chew it and chew it in his mouth.

A five-month-old baby is very attracted to the rustling and crunching sounds extracted from the rustling rattle upon contact with the palm - this is the beginning of the development of cause-and-effect relationships.

And a child of five months or older sitting in a sling is busy playing with an interesting and pleasant to the taste and touch rattle-sling toy.

Starting from the age of six months, the child holds, waves, rattles, rings, rustles, crunches any rattles independently.

Do you know at what month a baby starts holding a rattle? This toy is quite safe for the baby, even despite its loud sound. They say that there is nothing easier than giving a baby a rattle to calm him down from crying for a long time. But if you hand this thing to a one-month-old baby, he will not understand what they want from him. Maybe there are special age limits when exactly the baby will begin to accept rattles?

When does a child begin to hold a toy in his hand?

The toddler's first acquaintance with an unusual sound occurs after 1.5 months. Already at such an early age, the child begins to hold toys and understands that they can be twirled and simply held. The main thing here is to choose the right thing so that it is as comfortable as possible for tactile perception and does not create discomfort.

How many months does a baby hold a rattle? At two months of age, the child begins to hold a rattle in his hand. There is an acquaintance with sensations, with the fact that you can not only observe toys, but also touch them.

During this period, the baby does not show his curiosity; he does not yet know how to do this. But in fact, internally the child is very interested in the toy that he holds tightly in his hands. For him this is something new and unknown.

From three months, the newborn begins to hold the rattle more confidently. There is an interest in where this strange rumbling sound is coming from. Subsequently, the baby will definitely find out that it’s all about the filler of the rattle. In the meantime, let him twist, twirl and throw on the floor - the kids love it.

How to teach a child to hold a toy?

In order for the little one to pay attention to the rattle, you need to show it, it is best to do this several times. Then, the baby will understand that the thing can be picked up, touched, twirled and played with.

Algorithm for developing the skill of holding a toy in your hand:

try to put your finger in a newborn’s hand, he will immediately squeeze it. The same thing happens if the baby starts holding toys and a rattle. As soon as you see that the baby is actively looking at the thing, is interested in it, studying it, this means that the baby has begun to develop;
the child should hold the toy, let him get used to the fact that he can feel it consciously, without anyone’s help. To do this, show your little one the same rattle more often so that he remembers it. After a couple of months, the baby himself will reach for that toy that was often in front of his eyes;
Another good way to teach holding a rattle is to place everything around the baby. Let him take the one he likes best.

What to do if a 4-month-old child does not hold a toy well. The first thing to do is stop panicking. Not all children develop quickly, some do it more slowly. But this does not mean at all that the baby is growing up with disabilities.

Types of rattles for babies photo:

What to do if a 5-month-old child has difficulty holding a toy. Maybe he doesn't like the shape or color of the rattle? This happens, children refuse to even pick up something that repels them. For example, it is unlikely that a baby will touch something that is black and unpleasant to the touch; it may frighten him.

The child begins to hold the rattle confidently and firmly from four to five months. So, don’t be upset, all you have to do is wait until the baby decides to pick up the toy himself.

A child should be able to hold a toy in his hands by 5 months - this is the same motor skill that is important for every baby. Try purchasing several types of rattles at the store to find out which one your baby will definitely like. Sooner or later he will still begin to hold it well.

The age of four to five months is the most optimal when children begin to hold a rattle in their little hands. Of course, you can’t do this without the help of a parent; the baby needs help. So, time after time, the little one will understand that toys are interesting things that can not only be observed with the eyes, but also held close to oneself.

As soon as a baby appears in the house, his first toy immediately appears - a rattle for newborns. At least, this should be so, because playing with rattles for newborn babies perfectly develops their vision and hearing. Therefore, rattles for a newborn baby are, as the British say, “a must,” i.e. a must-have toy. However, in order to properly develop a baby’s senses with rattles, you need to know how to do it. Here's what I found out.

Rattle for newborn

Newborn babies should choose rattles of bright colors, preferably solid ones. In this case, it is not particularly important what material the rattle is made of. It may be plastic or wood, but with a pleasant sound.

Newborns aged 1-2 weeks are shown a rattle at a distance of 40-60 cm from the eyes. If closer, it can provoke the occurrence of strabismus. The rattle is slowly moved left and right from the center, shaking it slightly to make it sound. The child must watch the moving toy. Play like this for 1-2 minutes, moving the rattle 2 times along the entire route. It is best to keep the rattle away from your face so that your baby is not distracted.

After some time of practicing with a rattle, you can complicate the child’s actions. You can move the toy at different speeds and moving it closer to the newborn. Pauses should be made in the middle of the movement so that the baby has time to fix his gaze on the rattle.

Over time, the baby will learn to move his eyes and head in different directions, following the rattle. The first games with a rattle can be considered to have done their job when the child learns to follow it in all directions.

Rattle from 3 months of age

As the child gets older, playing with rattles becomes more complicated. When the baby can easily lie on his tummy and raise his head, you can start a new series of games with rattles.

When the baby is lying on his tummy, you need to shake the rattle at a distance of 30-40 cm from his head. The main thing here is that the baby, upon hearing the sound, raises his head and learns to determine the location of the object by the sound and looks at the source of the sound. Then you should turn the baby on his back and demonstrate the source of the sound.

For variety, rattles should be changed more often.

Also, with infants of this age, it is already possible to begin the formation of visual-tactile actions. For example, you can slowly shake a rattle (preferably wooden or made of fabric) in front of the child's eyes with a comfortable handle. As soon as the baby reaches for the toy, help him grab onto it. As soon as it drops from your hands, you can repeat the exercise. As they develop, you can make the games more difficult by giving your baby a rattle that is less easy to grasp. So you can play games twice a day, for 3-5 minutes.

Rattles from 6 months of age

From this age, rattles begin to develop and improve the movements of the baby’s hands, which he begins to control with the help of vision.

To play and develop your baby, you will need garlands of balls of various sizes. It is better if these are wooden rattles, because... they are heavier in weight, which will further strengthen the arm muscles.

A garland of balls of various sizes is placed in front of the baby lying on his tummy. The rattle should be within reach of the baby's hands. In order to pick up objects of various sizes, the baby will learn to open his palm wide to grab a large ball, and use his fingers to grab small balls.

Over time, the child should learn to correctly form a grip to grasp various balls without preliminary movements. So the baby learns to control the actions of his hands using his hands in advance.

After birth, the child enters the most important period of adaptation to the surrounding reality. The most important thing for him is the closeness of his mother and proper care. However, toys for newborns also play an important role in the development of the baby and his acquisition of useful skills.

You need to buy the first toys for children carefully and carefully. First of all, you should navigate the huge range of all kinds of gaming accessories for newborn babies. The basic rule is that there should not be too many toys!

In the first weeks, the baby has no time for entertainment, since he does not see very well due to the imperfection of the visual organs. Everything that is closer or further than 25-30 centimeters is perceived by the newborn as a cloudy spot.

Still, toys can be useful for sensory stimulation, especially if age-appropriate. For example, a traditional rattle is ideal for a newborn. Read about how to choose it and what types of rattles exist in our material.

Rattles for newborns

The number 1 toy for a newborn baby is undoubtedly a rattle.

The first such products were made from natural materials at hand - birch bark, wood, willow vine, and animal bones.

Such objects were called trinkets, rustling things or rattles. In addition to its actual entertainment purpose, the first rattle also served as a kind of amulet against evil spirits and evil witchcraft.

Despite the constantly changing design, shape and complexity of functions, the very principle of operation of the rattle remains unchanged for several centuries. When shaking a hollow container filled with balls and other small objects, the child hears a quiet sound.

Benefits of rattles

What are the benefits of rattle toys for newborns? These items are for comprehensive development of the baby:

by the end of the fourth week, the child begins to determine the direction of sound, simultaneously improving auditory skills;
the visual apparatus also improves: the child begins to peer at the toy, trying to catch its movement with his eyes;
By placing a rattle in children's hands, parents develop fine motor skills of their fingers and teach them to hold the toy in their palms.

In children's stores you can buy rattles for every taste and size, but it would be correct to take into account the age of the baby, as well as the quality of the products chosen.

Many mothers advise stocking up on 2-3 rattles for the first time. For a newborn baby, who spends most of his time sleeping, such a number of toys is already a huge abundance.

Types of toys

Manufacturers today offer several types of noisy products. All of them are intended for babies, but not all of them are suitable for a newborn baby.

Let's take a closer look at the types of rattles.

Pendants(from 0 months). They are mounted above the bed, in a stroller or in a car restraint system. Some toys are additionally equipped with a music block. At first, the child simply watches and listens, and then, at 3 months, he begins to grasp elements. Good to know! To develop the emotional sphere, a baby of one and a half months can be hung with rattles with the image of a smiling character. It is important that the mouth and eyes are clearly visible.
Bracelets(from 0 months). Bracelets worn on the leg or arm contribute to the development of motor skills. The child will begin to move his limbs more actively, wanting to hear the characteristic noise. You need to make sure that the rattle does not pinch the limb.
Soft(from 3 to 5 months). These rattles are made from fabrics of different textures, which contributes to the development of tactile sensations. Children are also attracted to the unusual, “rustling” sound that the toy makes.
Rings(from 3 to 5 months). The product looks like a keychain with keys, which are small objects. When they collide, they make a noise that attracts the child's attention.
Socks(from 3 to 5 months). These products are put on children's feet, just like regular socks. The only difference is that the “muzzles” of the animals, which are attached to the socks, contain rattles that entertain the baby.
Teethers(from 6 months). These rattles are a combination of a toy and a teether - a device with a cooling gel that relieves pain in the gums during teething.
Maces(from 4 months). On both edges of the holder there are bright balls or funny figures. Such products are ideal for developing the skill of grasping objects and holding them.
Suction cup(from 7 months). These toys are attached to the dining table so that the child can clap and touch them, but they cannot be thrown down.

The traditional version of rattles is a figurine on a holder. Both the handle and the toy itself can be made of various materials. The main thing is expressiveness and pleasant sensations.

Types of materials

In order for a child to be able to play with rattles without risks to his health, it is necessary to choose a gaming accessory made from the right material. Most often, “noisy” toys are made of wood, plastic, fabric and silicone.

What is best for a newborn?

Plastic. Modern manufacturers prefer this particular material for making baby rattles. High-quality plastic toys are safe and come in a variety of colors and shapes. They are very easy to care for - just wash and dry.
Tree. Ecological and natural material with a pleasant texture. They are distinguished by clean and pleasant sound and ease of use. The only negative is that it is quite heavy, and a child may inadvertently hit himself on the head with a wooden rattle.
Textile. Most often, textile rattles are made of cotton with velor inserts. The filler can be anything. A huge plus is the ease and inability to injure yourself. However, such products get dirty quickly and will have to be washed constantly.
Silicone. This material is used in the production of teething rattles. Typically, the filler in silicone toys is liquid, so it is important to monitor the integrity of the coating of the gaming accessory.

In the first months of life, it is best to give your baby silicone or fabric rattles. The baby is still learning to control his movements, so he may accidentally hit himself on the forehead with his favorite toy.

As we grow older, the range of materials for rattles expands significantly. By six months, a baby can already play with toys with a variety of textures. This promotes faster development of tactile sensations.

Selection rules

What toys does a tiny newborn need? First of all, they are safe.

And in order to choose a really useful rattle, you must follow A few rules when visiting a store:

Purchasing rattles on the market, from a tray, is completely excluded. Make purchases only in specialized children's stores or pharmacy chains. It is important to make sure that the product is certified and meets Russian and international standards.
You must smell the toy before purchasing. A pronounced chemical “aroma” indicates the low quality of the materials or dyes used. Naturally, you cannot buy such rattles.
Inspect the product carefully. It is necessary to make sure that the toy does not have chips, burrs, sharp corners and other defects that could injure the delicate skin of the child.
The color of the toy purchased should be natural, not “poisonous”. Excessive variegation and brightness are a possible sign of a low-quality product. In addition, natural shades are suitable for improving the visual apparatus.
Check the toy for the volume of noise it makes. The sound should be pleasant and not harsh, otherwise the children will get scared and cry. By the way, the most pleasant sound is made by wooden rattles.
You can also check the weight of the purchased product. Infants will not be able to hold in their hand an object whose weight exceeds the 100-gram mark.
If you want to buy a teething rattle, make sure that the toy is intact, since the liquid filler may leak if the “container” is damaged.

Toys for newborns and older children should be solid, without small elements that can fly off and clog the baby’s airways.

How to play with a newborn using a rattle?

A rattle can be given to a three-week-old baby, but he will only take it because of his developed grasping reflex. Of course, in this case there is no need to talk about any independent game.

An adult demonstrates the first toys for a newborn. He does this in such a way that a helpless child who knows little can notice and become captivated by the rattle.

The toy is brought to the child’s face at a distance of 25-30 centimeters and moved smoothly from one side to the other, jingling it a little.

This way the child will be able to focus his eyes and hear an interesting sound.

The duration of the game is no more than 2 minutes.

A two-month-old baby is already more developed than a newborn baby. At the age of two months, the mother can place a rattle in the baby’s hand so that the baby learns to hold toys and manipulate them (for example, bring them to the mouth for study).

A three-month-old baby begins to become more skillful and independent. He is already able to take a toy from his mother’s hands, clasp it in his fist and carefully examine it. Some children try to rattle it, freezing in surprise when they hear the sound.

At what month does a baby begin to hold toys?

As already noted, a superbly developed grasping reflex allows a child to hold small objects literally from the first days. If a parent gives him a plastic ring, the newborn will instantly grab onto it and begin to hold it.

Such actions take place without conscious control. In the same way, the child grasps the mother’s finger or clothing. Moreover, the strength of his grip is so great that sometimes he has to unclench his children’s fingers in order to free the object.

Despite the fact that a child is capable of holding toys from birth, he is not yet able to manipulate them. At this age, babies don’t even understand (and don’t see) what kind of object is in their hands. They act exclusively reflexively.

Rattle pendants can be accidentally touched by hands, after which the child begins to study the unexpected swinging and noisy object. However, again, these actions cannot be called a game. In addition, such moments can frighten the baby, so you should hang toys higher.

Conscious holding and holding of toys begins at three months of age. If you put a rattle in a child's palm, it will immediately end up in the mouth - for the purpose of study and familiarization. A 3-month-old child carefully examines the toy, but shakes it unconsciously, not understanding the principle of its operation.

Six-month-old children are already well versed in the features of the rattle, knocking it on any surface with great pleasure. Including on your forehead. This is why you should not give your kids heavy toys, this way you will avoid bumps and bruises.

At what age does a child begin to take rattles?

When the baby turns four months old, he will begin to take toys on his own, without prompting from adults.

You can note There are several stages in completing this action:

At the age of four months, the child begins to grab objects located at the level of his eyes. He holds the rattle with both hands and purposefully pulls it towards him for widespread study. Babies also knock on pendants and shake rattles to make sound.
When the baby grows a little (after 5 months), he will begin to take objects from the surface of the bed or changing table with both hands. The raised toy is carefully studied, the baby tries to play with it. So far, most manipulations are performed with two handles.
A six-month-old child takes the desired object from any position: lying on his back, tummy or side. The baby takes the rattle with one hand, the second at this moment can hold another toy. A child at 6 months plays independently with rattles, and he now has favorite toys.

When the child reaches the age in which his skills allow him to pick up the desired object, it is necessary to begin an “inspection” of potentially dangerous things surrounding the baby.

Not many little ones can resist numerous temptations: after all, they want to explore the taste of their mother’s cream, and take a shiny fork from the table, and taste the tail or paw of a cat passing by. The thirst for knowledge is truly a great thing!

Rattles are the first baby toys that appear at home. Noisy objects are designed to arouse in a newborn baby an initial interest in the environment and in obtaining information.

In order for the baby to develop correctly from the first days, it is necessary to purchase only safe rattles that are suitable for his age. Explore the world around you without any problems!

Rattle for newborn

Rattle from 3 months of age

As the child gets older, playing with rattles becomes more complicated. When the baby can easily lie on his tummy and raise his head, you can start a new series of games with rattles.

For variety, rattles should be changed more often.

Rattles from 6 months of age

From this age, rattles begin to develop and improve the movements of the baby’s hands, which he begins to control with the help of vision.

When does a child begin to hold a toy in his hand?

How many months does a baby hold a rattle? At two months of age, the child begins to hold a rattle in his hand. There is an acquaintance with sensations, with the fact that you can not only observe toys, but also touch them.

How to teach a child to hold a toy?

Algorithm for developing the skill of holding a toy in your hand:

try to put your finger in a newborn’s hand, he will immediately squeeze it. The same thing happens if the baby starts holding toys and a rattle. As soon as you see that the baby is actively looking at the thing, is interested in it, studying it, this means that the baby has begun to develop;
the child should hold the toy, let him get used to the fact that he can feel it consciously, without anyone’s help. To do this, show your little one the same rattle more often so that he remembers it. After a couple of months, the baby himself will reach for that toy that was often in front of his eyes;
Another good way to teach holding a rattle is to place everything around the baby. Let him take the one he likes best.

What to do if a 4-month-old child does not hold a toy well. The first thing to do is stop panicking. Not all children develop quickly, some do it more slowly. But this does not mean at all that the baby is growing up with disabilities.

Types of rattles for babies photo:

What to do if a 5-month-old child has difficulty holding a toy. Maybe he doesn't like the shape or color of the rattle? This happens, children refuse to even pick up something that repels them. For example, it is unlikely that a baby will touch something that is black and unpleasant to the touch; it may frighten him.

The child begins to hold the rattle confidently and firmly from four to five months. So, don’t be upset, all you have to do is wait until the baby decides to pick up the toy himself.

Each of us had a favorite toy as a child. Remember which one? A plush hare, a bear, a dog in a child's embrace before bed? In fact, the first and most important toy in life is a rattle. It is with the rattle that newborns begin the process of learning and development.

All young parents ask the question: at what age do newborns need such toys? It is not for nothing that there is an old tradition of giving a rattle for the birth of a child. In the first months of life, the baby will not be able to play with her independently, so it is worth buying rattles that hang on the crib or stroller. They should be hung at a distance of 40-60 cm from the child’s face so that they can focus their gaze on them. At this age, you can already play simple games with the help of a rattle - move it in front of the baby’s face, encouraging him to follow it with his eyes and turn his head.

In the first year of life, connections are actively formed in the child’s brain, so even a tiny baby needs a wide variety of impressions provided by a bright and loud rattle.

Diversity

Rattles of various shapes, colors, and sizes help the baby to develop harmoniously and gain an understanding of the different properties of things around him. They need to be changed from time to time.

The modern market more than provides the little ones with a variety of toys, and therefore impressions. Next, we’ll talk about what types of rattles there are and what their purpose is. You will see a photo.

Rattle pendants

They can be attached to a crib, stroller, or playpen using a special bracket. They are made from a variety of materials. They can be hard or soft, large or small, plain or patterned. The main feature is the bright (but not acidic) color. With the help of such a toy, a newborn baby learns to focus his gaze on a bright spot, developing his vision.

Musical carousel (mobile)

Is a suitable option for babies. Develops the baby's ability to follow objects moving in a circle and listen to a quiet melody. Mobile elements can be removed and used separately.

Bracelets or socks

A very good option for newborns who do not yet know how to consciously hold objects in their hands or control their body, but who can learn this by listening to the sounds made by such toys attached to their arms and legs with Velcro.

Rattles

They consist of figures of different shapes moving freely around the ring. When shaken, the figures create a noise that little children really like. Such rattles develop the baby’s ability to move stringed objects with his hands. With their help and with the help of a rattle with beads on a cord The child learns to purposefully make movements with his hands under gaze control. Such toys are suitable from the second half of the first year of life.

Rattle with suction cup

Attached to the table, it is convenient to use while feeding older children. The toddler will not be able to throw it onto the floor, but he will be able to play with it and be happy. Without being capricious, the baby will eat better.

Other types of rattles

Handleless rattles come in all shapes and sizes. They are given to the child's hands and contribute to the development of fine motor skills.
During the teething period, special teething rattles are very useful. . They come in different shapes, with or without cooling gel, with a smooth or textured surface. The production material of the teethers is soft enough and will not hurt the baby’s gums, but at the same time it is hard enough: the baby can gnaw and chew the toy.
For older toddlers, rattles with buttons are suitable. In addition to noise, rattles squeak when shaken or produce a melody when a button is pressed. They come with backlight.
It is interesting for a grown-up baby to play with soft rattle toys made from different materials that are pleasant to the touch. A capsule with rattling balls is sewn inside. The toy can be filled with loose elements of different sizes. They not only rustle pleasantly, but also help develop tactile sensitivity when a child squeezes a toy.
Scented rattles can help develop newborns' sense of smell. Latex ones are produced with different scents (strawberry, vanilla), and wooden ones - with the aroma of pine needles. However, if you notice an allergy in your baby, it is better not to use them.

Rattle made by mom

Of course, the best thing parents give their baby is love and care. But as a gift reminiscent of childhood and the warmth of mother’s hands, a rattle made by yourself would be an excellent option.

Giving free rein to your imagination, use completely different objects and materials for making. Knit from wool, sew from pleasant fabric; fill with beads, various cereals and seeds. An interesting option is to paint a small doll blank and use it as a rattle.

It has been scientifically proven that the mother’s face is the first thing that the child begins to see with his own eyes, so you can sew a rattle for the baby in the shape of a cheerful face that can delight and calm the baby.

Making the right choice

The entire environment of newborns from the first days of life has a huge impact on their further development. As you can see, there are a huge number of varieties of rattles. All have different properties that are beneficial to children. Parents are concerned about the question: how to choose the right rattle?

A newborn baby is completely defenseless in front of the big world around him, therefore, when buying any product for a child, first of all, parents need to pay attention to its safety.

When making a purchase, pay attention to the following:

a good rattle is durable and does not have small, easily torn parts;
its surface is smooth, without seams or sharp corners;
high-quality paint - does not peel off the toy and leaves no marks;
The toy does not have any foreign unpleasant odor.

Do not save money, buy only in trusted stores and ask the seller for a quality certificate for this product. By following these recommendations, you will be sure that the first toy will bring only joy to your baby.

To ensure that a newborn rattle promotes the development of various skills, pay attention to:

toy design– it is important for the baby to feel comfortable holding it in his hand and not be overly heavy;
The sound is not sharp, but loud enough. Be sure to choose several rattles with different sounds: bells, balls, melody, sounds of nature;
It is better to choose a bright color for the toy; pastel colors simply will not attract the baby’s attention. Kids really like the transparent ones with different rolling figures placed inside.

As the baby grows, interest changes

A rattle is a useful thing for newborns. One question remains: at what age and which version of this entertainment is suitable for a child?

A newborn is capable of carefully following a bright object with his eyes and holding a small object in his fist due to a developed grasping reflex from the age of two weeks.
A three-month-old baby consciously holds the rattle in her hand, begins to wave it, and pulls it into her mouth. Begins to understand the shape and color of the toy, responds well to sound. Some toys become favorites.
At about four months, your baby will need teething rattles.
When carrying a child in a sling, from five months he can be given soft toys. A busy baby does not distract his mother.
The six-month-old toddler consciously and happily plays with all the rattles.

So, let's summarize. A rattle is not just a toy, but the first object that opens up opportunities for a baby to explore the bright, diverse world around him, filled with sounds, smells, and sensations. Please and develop your child with different games, enjoy his new skills together.