ways to stimulate your child's vision & development
 

Young children respond best to objects with high contrast, those things that are shiny and reflect light, and light-oriented toys. This is also true of children with visual impairments. Using things that are “easy to see” is the best place to start when stimulating your child’s vision. There are many things available at regular toy stores which include black/white/red infant stimulation toys, toys with large buttons that activate lights and sounds, mirrors, pinwheels, shiny mylar balloons, etc. Have your child try to look at these toys/materials and gradually and slowly move the items from side to side.

Puppets are wonderful for visual stimulation because they have bright colors, movement, and are fun. Children of all ages will respond to the use of a puppet, especially if it makes funny sounds, “eats fingers or toes,” and does everyday things like jumping, sleeping, eating, etc.

It is very important for your child to use touch to help with all areas of play. Give your child a wide variety of touching experiences and start this as early as possible. There are wonderful textures all over your house: bath scrubbies, a pot scrubber, soft materials, textured squeak toys, rough scrub brushes, and beans/rice/water for older children. Playing with food, especially for those new finger feeders, is messy but a very important experience.

Most children with visual impairments are good listeners, but the sounds, voices, and language that they hear has to be meaningful. It is important to have some quiet times in the house with no television, radio, or excessive background noise so that your child can hear the house sounds. All houses make wonderful sounds and children with visual impairments can use those cues in order to understand the areas of the home and be comfortable in moving within the house. It is often scary for children with visual impairments to move through space because they are not certain what is “out there.” Carrying your child from room to room as a baby and talking about/touching all things in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. is a good beginning, but it is critical to let your child move on his/her own as soon as possible. That is why it is important to have him/her playing on the floor. Use of a blanket with toys all around to “define the space” may be helpful. Later, as a beginning walker, your child can push toys or objects to “find things” before he/she touches them.

It is very important for you for you to talk to your child about everything. Use clear and consistent language with very good descriptions in order to help your child. Avoid words like “over there” and use words like “the ball is next to the chair.” Even if your child does not understand these words yet, it begins to build a foundation for descriptive language, and before you know it your child will understand and use this type of description. It is also important to tell your child what is about to happen (precueing) so he/she can be “ready” for the event (“I’m going to pick you up”). Describing something that has happened suddenly “after the fact” is also helpful (“Johnny dropped the bucket”) so that your child is not scared by loud events.

Your child with a visual impairment needs to be shown how to explore the world. Try to imagine how an activity feels or sounds. Sometimes it is good to close your eyes to experience what the toy/activity might mean to your child. There are also simulators available (glasses that may demonstrate what your child sees) to give you a better understanding of how to present and modify activities for your child. Ask your service providers or eye doctor for the opportunity to use these simulators.

There are many other techniques, specialized equipment, and control of lighting that may be helpful specifically for your child. This information can be provided by a Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TBVI) or an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist.