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The start of a new school year always feels like a clean slate. New teachers, new subjects, new books, new friends, it’s a time full of possibility. As your child embarks on the new school year journey, take the simple step that helps ensure that their vision is as ready for the year ahead as they are. When children can see clearly and have the visual skills necessary for learning, their whole world opens up. Reading becomes easier, sports become more enjoyable, and confidence blossoms. An eye examination can make a lasting difference in how your child experiences school. Most young children are visual learners. It is estimated that 80% of a young child’s learning occurs through the eyes, making clear and effective vision the foundation for positive school learning experiences. As children advance in their academic journey, increasing demands are placed on their visual system, such as having to read from the board, read books with smaller print, interact with electronic devices or watch a ball in sport. Children are rarely aware they can’t see well. They assume everyone else’s world looks the same as theirs. It is up to parents and teachers to be on the alert for signs of visual problems. When vision problems slip by unnoticed, children often find ways to cope. They might avoid reading, have difficulty maintaining the place while reading, rush through homework, get distracted, tired or lose concentration easily. Do they sit too close to the TV or hold books too close when reading? They might rub their eyes, complain of headaches after reading, squint, tilt their head or close one eye while trying to focus. When the demands of the classroom become difficult to cope with, many children become frustrated or anxious, and the problem is exacerbated. Sometimes they are mislabelled as inattentive or unmotivated when the real problem is that their eyes are not working effectively. While the signs observed may not conclusively indicate a vision problem, it would be wise to have a thorough eye examination. |
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As well as assessing visual acuity, the ability to see clearly and comfortably at a variety of distances, a comprehensive eye examination can determine whether the child has the visual skills essential for understanding and processing visual learning material. These include the ability to focus and maintain clear vision while changing focus, the ability to coordinate and use both eyes together, the ability to use the eyes and hands together to perform tasks, the ability to keep the eyes on a target and move them smoothly along a page, the ability to perceive the world in three dimensions and judge distances between objects, and good peripheral vision, the visual awareness of things outside of central vision. Over and above effective visual perceptual abilities, school readiness implies that a child has the appropriate skills to facilitate optimal learning and is ready to make an easy and successful transition into school on a number of levels. It focuses on a child’s holistic preparation to cope with the demands of schooling across physical, emotional, social and cognitive domains. Key areas include processing of sensory stimulation, managing emotions, interacting positively with peers, expressing needs through language, following instructions, being able to concentrate for a certain period of time, and adapting to routines. A fundamental aspect is the child’s approach to learning, a readiness to learn, engage with new activities, and a willingness to accept guidance from others to develop new skills. Developing these foundational skills helps a child transition into a learning environment with confidence, comfort, and curiosity. They allow teachers to expand and further develop a child’s skills in specific areas. Without these basic skills already established upon entry to school, children can find themselves having to catch up with their peers who already have the building blocks for learning in place. What cannot be ignored is that we are living in a digital age that affects young children and adults alike. Screens are everywhere and children are exposed to them from an early age: TV for entertainment, tablets for lessons, laptops for homework, and phones for everything in between! While technology brings wonderful opportunities, it also means more time spent focusing up close, which can cause digital eye strain, leading to tired eyes, blurred vision and a host of visual problems. Encourage children to take regular screen breaks and spend time playing outdoors. |
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