These Lamaze strap-on hand and feet rattles are one of Cian’s favourite toys. He enjoys controlling the sound they make.

Resources

  • Lamaze gardenbug hand and feet rattles
  • Hand held rattles and shakers

Method

When I put the rattles on Cian, he kicks excitedly and gives his biggest grins. Looking at this happy face, you can’t help but smile.

I introduced the song, “We shake and shake and shake and then we stop!” It’s a song we first learnt at a library singing session and is sung to the tune of, “If you’re happy and you know it.” Cian was fascinated by the pauses in the song. He concentrated hard throughout, then babbled and giggled at the end.

This song was a favourite with the boys, especially accompanied with a variety of instruments. They each sang it on loop aged one, changing the words to match the instrument, e.g. “We bang/ blow/ squeeze/ tap…” and it is brilliant for encouraging children to listen and respond to instructions.

DfES Outcomes for EYFS (2013)

Communication and language

Listening and attention (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns towards a familiar sound then locates range of sounds with accuracy.

• Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.

• Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.

Speaking (Birth to 11 months)

• Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways including crying, gurgling, babbling and squealing.

• Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.

Physical development

Moving and handling (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns head in response to sounds and sights.

• Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.

Personal, social and emotional development

Self-confidence and self-awareness (Birth to 11 months)

• Laughs and gurgles, e.g. shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions.

• Uses voice, gesture, eye contact and facial expression to make contact with people and keep their attention.

Managing feelings and behaviour (Birth to 11 months)

• Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.

• Reacts emotionally to other people’s emotions, e.g. smiles when smiled at and becomes distressed if hears another child crying.

Making relationships (Birth to 11 months)

• Responds when talked to, for example, moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, moves body and makes mouth movements.

Understanding the world

Technology (Birth to 20 months)

• The beginnings of understanding technology lie in babies exploring and making sense of objects and how they behave.

Expressive arts and design

Exploring and using media and materials (Birth to 11 months)

• Babies explore media and materials as part of their exploration of the world around them.