As a child grows up, his visual abilities continue to grow and improve along with him. However, not all children will end up with the same level of visual acuity. Thankfully, a child's vision and focusing capacities can be enhanced with a variety of entertaining exercises. For optimal results, have your child exercise his eyes for around 10 minutes per day, three days a week.
Numbers
The Eye Can Learn website suggests having your child create a number chart. Simply write the numbers one through 30 in six rows. To make it easier, copy the chart from their website and paste it into a Word document. Have your child cut out the number card.
Hang up a calendar and then tell your child to stand on the opposite side of the room. While holding the card about 6 inches from his face, have him move the paper outward until he can see the number one on his card clearly. Then have him look at the same number on the calendar. This should be continued for all numbers. Have your child do this exercise for the entire month. The goal is for him to be able to hold his number card about 3 inches from his face and still be able to see the numbers clearly. It will also help him focus quickly as he practices switching from his card to the calendar.
Tracking
To improve eye movement and tracking, the Seeing Smarter website suggests decorating a rubber ball 4 inches in diameter with pictures, numbers or stickers. Attach a ball to a string and hang it from a doorway or light fixture. Hang the ball at your child's nose level and swing it slowly. Have him watch the ball and the shapes on it with only his eyes, avoiding any head movement.
Then change the position of the ball, hanging it about 3 feet off the floor. Tell your child to lie on his back beneath it and watch it again while you swing the ball in large circles. The goal is to have your child keep his eyes on the ball with no head movement.
Dog House
Have your child draw a picture of a puppy and a doghouse side by side, or print out the picture provided on the Eye Can Learn website. Have your child cross his eyes so that the puppy goes into his house. Have him try to keep the dog in the house for as long as possible. If your child is having difficulty, have him place his finger on the picture in the space between the puppy and the dog house. Tell him to keep his eyes on his finger as he slowly brings it toward his nose. He should see the dog moving into his house in the background.
