Over the coming weeks and months

You will hear me talking a lot about

One Hundred Toys

The online toy shop with a difference

At One Hundred Toys, we’ve cut through the plastic and the flashing lights, and found the essential toys, games and fun things-to-do we believe every pre­schooler should experience. This expertly-curated collection brings you the most brilliant, thoughtfully-made toys from around the world, all designed to nurture and stimulate their curious minds. What’s more, we’ve sorted them into highly­ specific age categories, so you know the toy you choose is pushing the right buttons at the perfect time for their development. They get a toy that delights them, you get to feel extra good about giving it.

Together with this wonderful company

I am going to be reducing and refining the toys in our home

And exploring the possibilities of open ended play

With fewer toys

That offer endless opportunities

For curious hands and minds

I am so excited about our toy transformation

I have always been a champion of wooden toys

Traditional play things

And the slow toy movement

I am also very passionate

About messy and sensory play

For babies, toddlers and older children

I hope that you will join me and One Hundred Toys

On our journey

In our play adventures

Our toy explorations

I am so very excited about this project

And we are going to start our journey

At the very beginning

With a rattle

We have a few rattles and bells for Edie

New to our collection is the Grimm’s Star Rattle

Grimm’s wooden rattles can also be used as teething rings thanks to their natural maple wood construction and non-toxic plant oil finish. They come in a range of easy-to-grasp shapes with moveable pieces in different colours that also make a pleasing sound.

We love this rattle

It is smooth

It is colourful

It is fascinating for Edie to explore

Using her senses

It is great for audio and visual development

Edie can track the star with her eyes and ears

As a parent or sibling moves the star to different places during play

The rattle makes a gentle sound

Perfect for playing with even the newest baby

This star rattle would make a lovely new baby or christening gift

Also just the right size for a Christmas stocking

Here are five reasons to rattle with your baby

1. It will help to improve baby’s hand eye coordination as baby tracks the rattle with their eyes and tries to reach out and grab it.

2. It will help baby to understand cause and effect – if I do this then this will happen – if I shake the rattle it will make a noise.

3. Your baby will learn object permanence. This a baby’s ability to realise that when something is out of view, it doesn’t cease to exist. It is still there even when out of sight. Encourage your baby’s understanding of this concept with a baby rattle and a blanket. Sit with your little one and place the rattle on the floor in front of you. Hide the rattle under the blanket and after a few seconds, lift the blanket up to reveal the rattle beneath it. Peekaboo!

4. A rattle can also develop grip and the up/down motion – laying good foundations for holding pens and writing later on.

5. Many rattles also have moving parts that can be twisted, turned and spun, which can help further develop a baby’s focus, attention span and fine motor skills.

So now you know the reasons to rattle

Pop over to One Hundred Toys to browse their beautiful selection

We were sent the Grimm’s Star Rattle for the purpose of this review