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Development of Vision
Ages & Stages

 

 Birth - 6 Weeks
12 - 18 Months

Stares while awake

Can hold gaze momentarily on bright light

Sometimes eyes may seem turned in

Moves eyes and head together

Hand and eye coordination

Objects will be held close to eyes for inspection

Points to objects and people

Interested in pictures & identifies them in books

 2 - 3 Months
24 - 36 Months

Eyes begin to move without head movement

Begin to follow moving people & objects

Able to focus on parent's face

Can look at objects without touching

Watches Movement of toys, cars etc

Watches hand drawing & scribbling

Starting to keep colouring on paper

Smiles when sees favourite things & people

Watches & imitates other children

Describes pictures in books

 3 - 6 Months
40 - 48 Months

Start to watch own hands

Eyes move actively to look at surroundings

Interested in looking at food, bottle, toys

Able to look at more distant objects

Inspects book by bringing head & eyes close to page

Draws a circle & cross on paper

May be able to wink

 6 - 12 Months
4 - 5 Years

Eyes may turn inwards when looking at toy

Watches activities for longer periods

Looks for fallen toys

Holds toys and inspects them

Crawls to get out of reach toys

Looks around to see what is happening

Responds to smiles and friendly voices

Increased visual inspection of objects & people

Increased visual interest in new objects/place

Using hands and eyes together well

Rolls eyes expressively

Draws & names pictures

Can do colouring within the lines

Can cut and paste

May be able to copy some letters

May be able to thread beads

Observant and visually alert


Frances Byatt-Smith RN RHV BA Psychology

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Development of Vision Ages & Stages
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