Without good vision, it can be very difficult for kids to do well at school. Around 80 percent of learning is visual, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA), including reading, writing, using a computer, and looking at the chalkboard, and the reliance on vision only grows as a child progresses through the grades — the print in textbooks becomes smaller, reading tasks are longer, and homework increases.
The following are the main vision skills every child needs to possess to be successful at school:
Vision Skills for Kids for School Success
- Visual acuity, to see objects at all distances: far, intermediate, and close.
- Eye focusing, to maintain focus when looking from one distance to another. This skill also enables kids to sustain focus for an extended period of time.
- Eye tracking, to follow a moving object or move eyes along a line of text without losing focus.
- Eye teaming, to use eyes together for coordination or for judging distance and depth.
- Hand-eye coordination, to guide hands for tasks like catching and drawing.
- Visual perception, to organize information to distinguish letters, words, and ideas.
Vision Problems
Kids with undetected vision problems are often unable to carry out assignments at school and may be misdiagnosed as having a learning disability. In these cases, it could be that all your child needs is glasses, contact lenses, or treatment to correct or improve vision. The best way to avoid such a situation is to take your kids for regular comprehensive eye exams. However, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor sooner if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Rubbing eyes.
- Frequent blinking.
- Short attention span for activities that involve focus, such as using computer and reading.
- Complaining of headaches.
- Covering one eye or tilting the head to see.
- Holding books close to the face or sitting close television and computer screens.
- Misalignment in eyes.
- Difficulty following text in a book.
It is equally important to protect your kids’ vision for the future. Make sure your children always wear sunglasses by finding a stylish pair of shades from Real Kids.