The Skwish Rattle and Teething Toy by Manhattan Toy
I’ve had a lot of math and science classes in my day and this toy grabbed my attention straightaway with its unique looking geometric design. In addition, I always try to choose toys that are constructed with natural materials. Yes, plastic toys may be easier to disinfect and clean, but I think the benefits gained from interacting with something ‘real’ outweighs the hassle of cleaning or the worry of infection…plus—being too clean isn’t good for kids!
Children gain mastery over the muscles in their bodies from big–>little and near–>far –in other words, large muscle groups before smaller muscles and muscles closer to the center of the body than further away. Babies are born with a grasping reflex (or the palmar grasp)—the ability to curl their hand around a finger placed in their palm, but most of the time newborns have their fists tightly shut. This reflex fades around 3 months of age, to be replaced by the learned palmar grasp. This toy will encourage them to reach out and hold on in a palmar grasp plus it can foster work on their pincer grasp—the ability to pick up and hold something between the first finger and thumb—by touching/holding onto the beads on the dowels.
I like to support companies that are cognizant of the environment and work in eco-friendly ways. It may mean their sourcing and/or production costs might be more involved, but in the greater scheme of things…ie., the health of our Earth, it’s money well spent!
The Skwish Rattle and Teething Toy gets a full PLAY ON stamp of approval! I think it’d be perfect for your baby for several reasons.
●First is its design: At 6” diameter with an open construction it’s easy for baby to grab, hold and manipulate as they develop their motor skills.
●It offers a multi-sensory experience: Visually, with brightly colored wooden dowels; auditorily with wooden beads sliding along the dowels making a pleasant ‘rattle’; as well as tactilely—they be able to feel the hard, rigid dowels and compare that to the stretchy, elastic ties. And because essentially EVERYTHING that a baby puts into their hand goes directly into their mouth, their sense of taste will evaluate what these non-edible, but safe and non-toxic things ‘taste’ like!
●Its unique shape will make your baby curious and interested to explore what they can do with it!
●As with all PLAY, children test and make discoveries—you’re baby will discover how turning the Skwish Rattle will make the beads move up and down the dowel creating the noise…a perfect example of cause & effect!
●This toy was designed to be a teether so baby can bite down and chomp away on it and you can be reassured knowing it was assembled using sustainable wood and painted with a non-toxic, water-based finish.
●It’s durable—baby sits on it? (YOU sit on it?) No problem it—it bounces right back to its original shape! That surprise will delight baby…and should be a relief to you!
Often it’s paired with the Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Activity Toy which has a lot of the same developmental benefits as the Skwish Rattle, but an added benefit of this one is it’s specifically helpful to kiddos in the throes of teething with sore, swollen gums…just put the Winkel in the refrigerator to cool the BPA-free loops before offering it to back to baby—I can just imagine the soothing, comfort it gives!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen