Monthly Topic-Spring 2000
"Stimulating Visual Skills in Infants and Young Children"
Introduction:
The importance of visual stimulation in infants and young children is overlooked by many parents. Babies can see most colors early on in life. However, the acuity and clarity of their vision is decreased. Visual discrimination abilities are also decreased. Therefore, young infants usually between the ages birth through three months, can see objects but not at the same distance or with the same clarity as an adult. These children often prefer toys and objects that offer significantly contrasting patterns and colors. As the child grows their visual system quickly matures. After about the age of three months children are better able to discriminate between different colors and may begin to prefer brightly colored toys and objects.
What are Some Ways to Provide a Visually Stimulating Environment?:
For infants you want to take into account the child's immediate environment or playspace. For the child ages birth through ~ three months old, offer high contrast colored items(often black, red and white designs). Don't limit yourself to the crib when mounting mobiles. Mobiles above changing tables offer yet another opportunity to stimulate visual skills. Pick toys that offer high contrast colors(often black, red and white designs). Many toy companies such as Lamaze, Gymini, and KidsII offer a wide variety of toys in black, red and white, from fun links, to soft toys, rattles, playgyms, teethers, books and activity quilts. Keep in mind that a child of this age does not share the same visual acuity that an adult has. Place objects closer to the baby's face than you would yourself. A distance of approximately 10-12 inches is optimal. Placing items and toys at a slight slant/incline is also beneficial at promoting visual skills. Books are a wonderful way to stimulate a child's vision. Choose books that offer very plain backgrounds preferably with a single larger sized object on each seperate page. A good example is Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" board book. Avoid board books whose pages are cluttered or busy with images. Young infants cannot focus well on these types of pictures. Mirrors are also another great item for use on the floor and in cribs.
For the child ages three months and up, offer brightly colored items. Choose toys that offer bright and contrasting colors and designs. The acuity of this child's vision has improved significantly in the past few months, becoming almost as accurate as an adult. They are now able to take in a larger scope of vision in their immediate environment. Another great opportunity to promote visual skills is in the car. Place pictures and designs on the seat back(in plain vision of a child in a rear facing carseat). Make use of activity bars on carseats. When choosing books continue to look for ones that offer simple images with little or no background clutter. Mirrors continue to be another great item.
Too Much of a Good Thing?:
When attempting to stimulate a child visually, avoid going overboard. Too much of a good thing is very possible when dealing with visual skills. Due to the immaturity of a young child's visal system, providing too many toys or many brightly colored objects at once can be overstimulating. The child is not able to efficiently seperate the objects and focus on one. They are bombarded with visual input and will often turn away or shut down all together. Limit the amount of toys in a child's playspace(2-3 toys at a time in a young child's visual field should be more than enough). Vary these toys at the beginning of new play sessions so that the child continues to be stimulated and not bored by sameness.
Conclusion:
The importance of visual stimulation early on is clear. It is important to visually stimulate children from the moment that they enter the world. Promoting visual skills early on provides a foundation for the development of later fine and gross motor skills, as well as sensory motor development. It will also help to promote cognitive and social skills. Take a good look at your child's immediate environment and ask yourself is it visually stimulating?
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