If your child suffers from vision issues, you know just how much of an impact this can have on their school performance. Visual processing skills are critical to a child’s success, and vision therapy is an effective way to treat many eye conditions. Family Vision Development Center vision therapy programs are customized for each patient, and include in-office evaluation and treatment along with at-home exercises. While most vision therapy exercises are technical and designed to treat specific eye disorders, there are some general activities that can be done at home that will allow you to include ALL family members in the fun.
Here are some hands-on activities you can do at home with your children to help develop their visual processing skills. Please note: these activities are not meant to replace a professional vision therapy program. You should talk to your doctor before starting any vision therapy exercises to ensure you are completing the correct activities for your diagnosis.
Activity #1: Puzzles and Mazes
Puzzles are a fun, family activity that can help your child with visual perception or visual thinking. Be sure not to choose a puzzle that’s so hard your child becomes frustrated. Mazes are also a great tool to build visual tracking skills. Have your child complete the maze with a pencil and again with their finger.
Activity #2: Drawing and Coloring
Coloring and drawing are easy ways for children to work on hand-eye coordination and attention to detail. Many children with eye disorders can benefit from coloring. For example, children with Amblyopia who are being treated with an eye patch can strengthen the “lazy eye” by coloring and drawing while wearing their patch.
Activity #3: Board Games
Board games can not only help you limit your child’s screen time, but many of them can help develop visual processing skills as well. While there is a wealth of modern educational board games available, some of the “old fashioned” games like Connect 4, Operation and Pick-Up-Sticks can be just as beneficial and fun.
At Family Vision Development Center, vision therapy is our specialty and we are passionate about helping your child. If you think your child may have vision issues, contact us right away to see how vision therapy can help. We will customize a program to meet your child’s individual needs. Visit us online or call 630-862-2020 to schedule an appointment. Serving Aurora, Woodridge, & others.
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