There are many things that parents and caretakers can do during this time of early development to enhance and improve how the visual system functions later in the life of a child.
School aged children with visual disorders often face a lifetime of learning difficulties and frustration in the classroom and in everyday life, so it is essential that good visual development take place before the child enters the classroom.
The following lists tell you things that you can do with your child from the time they are born until they enter kindergarten. Our program, Visual Development for Preschoolers, is aimed at children ages three to five, but other activities can be helpful as well.
Activities for Babies (Ages 0 – 6 months)
Change baby’s position in the crib and while feeding.
Have baby on stomach (Tummy Time) to develop head/neck muscles
Provide bright, colorful objects that baby can feel, watch, and gum
Play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo
Sing to your baby
Hang a mobile in the crib and change your baby’s view of it
Provide an initial eye exam at 6 months of age, sooner if problems are evident
Activities for Infants (Ages 6 – 12 months)
Provide toys for infant to grasp, roll, pick up, push, or pull
Provide small/large containers into which your infant can drop or fit toys, put things in and take things out.
Read stories aloud to your infant.
Place an object on the high-chair that can be safely dropped or pushed off
Play simple games such as hide-and-seek with people or toys
Don’t do things for your infant that they can do themselves, as in handing them a toy when they can get it for themselves by crawling
Activities for Toddlers (Ages 1 – 3 Years)
Have an assortment of balls to bounce, throw, catch, and chase
Talk to and with your toddler, giving names to actions and object
Allow space for jumping, bouncing, swinging, and spinning
Provide simple puzzles and building blocks
Provide crayons, finger paints, play dough, and drawing activities
Provide play experiences with small groups of children where opportunities to be the leader or follower will develop naturally
Read to your toddler often
Don’t rush walking; crawling is an important part of development
Activities for Preschoolers (Ages 3 – 5 Years)
Make time for outdoor play including jumping, kicking, ballgames, bike/tricycle riding, swinging, rolling, etc.
Encourage activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as block building and puzzles
Play simple memory games
Provide opportunities to color, cut, and paste
Encourage your child in role-playing activities
Encourage your child to dress themselves completely
Make sure your child has practice developing school readiness behaviors such as sharing toys, taking turns, following simple directions carefully, and listening when others are talking
Provide a preschool comprehensive eye exam
