A child’s visual system has some unconditioned visual reflexes already at birth. For example, a direct reaction of the pupils to light, a short-term reflex of turning the eyes and head to the light source, or an attempt to track a moving object. In the future, as the child would grow, all other visual functions will gradually develop and improve accordingly. However, to help these functions to manifest properly, parents have to consider the multitude of factors that may affect the baby’s vision. The Valenti’s article Infant Vision Guidance: Fundamental Vision Development in Infancy explores in detail the influences of environmental conditions that lead to the healthy development of a child’s visual system. Moreover, it also contains the specific training that can be performed in order to help the development of the child’s vision.
The first part of the article delves into a more investigatory ground, delivering different scientific concepts and experiments regarding the issue. It gives a clear explanation as to why parents need to maintain a close attention to their child’s vision. Valenti (2006) states that “other areas of a child’s development, including language, curiosity, imagination, social skills, emotional development, fine and gross motor skills, and cognition depend upon how vision develops” (p. 148). Moreover, the article provides a keen insight into the importance of the environment and different visual stimuli, stating their role as crucial in the fine processes behind the vision. The author also emphasizes on the proper integration between all of the infant’s senses, as well as the consistency in the baby’s surroundings.
Finally, the largest part of the article is dedicated to the different exercises a parent may perform with their child to improve the development processes in the visual system. Valenti (2006) explains that “it makes sense to learn the fundamental vision skills which develop in infancy and carry out simple and enjoyable activities to ensure that these skills are developed to their fullest capabilities” (p. 154). There are many different exercises which can provide a highly positive impact on the baby’s visual system, and the author presents supporting evidence for each and every of them.
Reference
Valenti C. (2006). Infant Vision Guidance: Fundamental Vision Development in Infancy. Optom Vis Dev 37(3), 147-155.