Tips for Parents on Child Vision Development
Did you know that learning to use our eyes effectively is a skill?
We developed that skill as babies and toddlers, and our kids have to do that too. Just as babies need to learn to walk and talk, they also need to learn to see. From infancy through toddlerhood, there are many ways parents can support their child's visual development, including choosing the right toys and activities.
Vision Development in Infants: The First Six Months
During the first six months, a baby's vision consists mostly of blurry shapes, light, and shadows. Infants typically focus best on objects 8-15 inches away — the perfect distance for gazing at a parent's face while being held. To aid their developing sight, try these activities:
- Introduce Colorful Objects: Although infants take a few months to see colors fully, exposing them to bright and colorful items, like mobiles above their crib, can be captivating.
- Encourage Tracking: Help your baby practice following moving objects with their eyes by gently moving toys across their field of vision.
- Play Peek-a-Boo: This simple game not only delights babies but also helps them focus and strengthens their understanding of object permanence.
Rapid Visual Development: Months 6-12
As babies grow, their hand-eye coordination begins to emerge around the six-month mark, making this a prime time to introduce interactive and colorful toys. Encouraging them to reach for and grasp objects helps refine their motor skills and vision. As babies start to crawl and explore, they'll quickly improve their spatial awareness, though this may occasionally lead to minor bumps.
Peek-a-boo may start to lose its magic as babies begin to grasp object permanence, realizing that objects (and people) still exist even when out of sight. To keep challenging them, hide toys under a blanket and encourage your little one to find them.
Advancing Through Toddlerhood
As your child enters the toddler stage, they'll enhance their coordination further through walking and playing with objects like balls. Visual skills such as balance and comprehension also take significant strides.
Toddlers start to associate names with objects and may even begin expressing themselves artistically with crayons and paper. Engaging with interactive toys like wooden blocks can also promote cognitive and motor skills.
The Importance of Early Eye Exams
While toys and interactive play are instrumental in visual development, regular eye exams are equally crucial. Babies and toddlers cannot effectively communicate or even understand vision problems, making professional assessments vital. It's recommended to schedule the first eye exam by six months, followed by another around their third birthday.
Together, we can lay a strong foundation for your child’s lifelong vision health. If you have questions about your child’s eye development or need to schedule an exam, don’t hesitate to contact us.