Healthy Child Development

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There are several stages of healthy vision development that are marked by key

abilities.  

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0-3 months

• Focuses on your face, bright colors and lights; follows slow-moving, close objects

• Blinks when bright lights come on or if a fast moving object comes into close view

• Watches as you walk around the room

• Looks at hands and begins to reach out and touch nearby objects

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4-6 months

• Tries to copy your facial expression

• Reaches across the crib for objects/ reaches for objects when playing with you

• Grasps small objects close by

• Follows moving objects with eyes only (less moving of head)

 

7-12 months

• Plays games like ‘peek-a-boo’, ‘pat-a-cake’, ‘waves bye-bye’

• Reaches out to play with toys and other objects on own

• Moves around to explore what’s in the room; searches for a hidden object

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12 months -2 years

• Moves eyes and hands together (e.g., stack blocks, place pegs)

• Judges depth e.g., climbs up and down stairs

• Links pictures with real life objects

• Follows objects as they move from above head to feet

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2-3 years

• Sits a normal distance when watching television

• Follows moving objects with both eyes working together (coordinated)

 

3-4 years

• Knows people from a distance (across the street)

• Uses hands and eyes together (e.g., catches a large ball)

• Builds a tower of blocks, string beads; copies a circle, triangle and square

 

4-5 years

• Knows colours and shadings; picks out detail in objects and pictures

• Holds a book at a normal distance

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... If a child is missing one or more of these expected age outcomes, consider this a red flag

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