Baby Rattle Rhythm Play Session

2 baby-safe rattles (smooth surfaces, no small removable parts)

A comfortable spot on the floor or in a bouncy seat

Choose two baby-safe rattles — one for you and one for your baby. Pick ones with different sounds if possible.

Sit facing your baby and shake your rattle slowly in a steady beat while smiling and making eye contact.

Place the second rattle in your baby's hand and gently help them shake it. Guide their hand if needed.

Shake your rattle fast for a few beats, then switch to slow. Watch your baby's face light up at the change in tempo.

Pause and let your baby shake on their own — celebrate any movement with an enthusiastic reaction.

Try shaking in a pattern: shake-shake-pause, shake-shake-pause. Repeat several times so your baby hears the structure.

Sing a simple song while you both shake along to the rhythm.

For younger babies (under 4 months), they may just grip the rattle while you move their hand. That's completely fine — they're still absorbing the rhythm.

Babies around 6-8 months will start shaking intentionally and noticing that their movement creates sound. This is a huge cognitive leap.

Try rattles with different tones — a wooden rattle sounds different from a plastic one. Variety keeps it interesting.

Keep the session short and fun. If your baby drops the rattle and wants to mouth it instead, let them explore. That's sensory learning too.