Add the Montessori Rolling Rattle to Your Baby’s Toy Collection for Maximum Development

Add the Montessori Rolling Rattle to Your Baby’s Toy Collection for Maximum Development
It can be hard to know what to buy for your baby when so many options exist. If you follow Montessori parenting, you know that less is more. Visually, having fewer toys provides a more orderly and calming environment. It also allows you to focus on toys that support your baby's development rather than hinder it. Because of its many benefits, the Montessori rolling rattle is one of the essential wooden toys you should include on your list for your baby. This one toy encourages movement, concentration, and coordination.

The rolling rattle is beautifully composed with a wooden cylinder construction of small dowels and two circle closures on the top and bottom (or sides, depending on which way you hold it). The rattle contains either a few round wooden beads or a single bell, which makes a lovely sound as it is shaken or rolled. The construction resembles a cage, housing the beads or bell, but nothing is caged in about this toy! It is sure to get your baby moving. The round design is made to roll and is an excellent aid to your baby's movement as they are encouraged to creep or crawl after the rattle when it rolls away. It's essential to observe your baby before offering this toy. The ideal time is when your baby has enough strength to move their body with their arms when placed on their belly. They don't have to be crawling yet, but when they are learning to creep and crawl, this can be an incredible motivator to get them moving. 

Your baby can also learn cause and effect and problem-solving as they explore rolling or shaking the rattle. These foundational skills will encourage concentration because your baby will be focused on discovering all they can about the rattle. They will experiment with their effect on the rattle and their environment. Their visual senses are also stimulated as they watch the rattle roll and the objects move inside. It helps them to track a moving object and use both eyes together to focus on a single point. These points of interest encourage and develop your baby's ability to focus and concentrate.

Because it has multiple dowels around the cylinder, there are plenty of opportunities for grasping and hand-to-hand transfer.

Babies' first movements are uncoordinated and reflexive. The more intentional time they spend grasping materials, the more refined and deliberate their movements become. In time, they can pick up and put down objects with ease, roll items in a coordinated manner, and generate a motor plan and execute it. Like other wooden materials, the rattle allows your baby to safely explore with their mouth and soothe sore gums on the smooth surfaces.

The rolling rattle offers a source of stimulation without being overly stimulating. It's a great addition to any parenting kit, and I encourage you to roll it into yours.