Development of Babies and Toddlers with Blindness

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)

This section on the FamilyConnect website offers extensive resources for parents navigating the growth of babies and toddlers who are blind or have low vision. It delves into crucial areas such as emotional development, sensory integration, motor skill activities, and communication skills. Here we provide strategies to aid parents in fostering their child’s overall development effectively, emphasizing adaptive techniques suited to their unique needs. For detailed guidance on supporting each developmental stage, you can explore the comprehensive articles available below.

Emotional Impact

Having a baby is joyous, exciting and nerve racking. Unfortunately, there is not a manual that comes with your child. Learning that your child is blind or low vision adds additional concerns and questions. Finding strategies, supports and tips will empower you and your child.

Baby after eye surgery wearing eye protection.

When Your Baby or Toddler Is Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)Having a baby is one of life’s most joyous experiences, but new parents may often feel as though their world has been turned upside down! As precious as children are, they don’t arrive with a set of instructions. If you’ve just learned that your baby is blind or […]

A little baby girl wearing eyeglasses playing with a toy.

What Can Your Child See?

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)If your child has low vision, you may be anxious to know what they can see. Can they see you from across the room? Can your child see the smile on their grandmother’s face as they watch your child play? What about the details of the rivers on […]

Milestones

Children who are blind or low vision are as unique and as varied as any other group of children. One overall statement, however, does apply to most children who are blind or have low vision: they will typically learn about the world in a different way from a child without a visual impairment.

Development: An Overview for Babies and Toddlers Who Are Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)All babies, sighted, blind or low vision, develop at their own pace within a range of what is considered to be “normal” development. There are ranges for when babies do things such as smiling, sitting, crawling, walking, and saying their first word. These steps in development are often […]

A little girl playing with natural materials.

Growth and Development for My Baby with Blindness or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish) Infants and toddlers grow so quickly and learn so many things. In the beginning, if they are not sleeping, they’re eating or needing a diaper change. Believe it or not, there are things you can do with your infant to help them learn. Your child may need […]

A toddler feet in pink shoes on the ground as they are sitting on a step.

Motor Skills Development for your Child with Blindness or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)Balance and Trunk Control Balance is a child’s ability to hold his body parts upright. It is part of running, jumping, standing on one leg, bicycling, and ball throwing. As with all motor development, balance develops from head to toe; your child won’t be able to sit until […]

A spinner toy suctioned to a high chair as a child is playing.

Fine Motor Skills for Young Children

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)For babies who are blind or have low vision, fine motor skills play a critical role in the ability to explore and interact with their environment. They serve as the foundation for many important life skills such as self-care, communication, and academic success. One of the primary ways […]

Communication Skills for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)By Carla A. Brooks Simplifying a Complex Skill As the parent of a toddler with blindness or low vision, at some point, you will be asked about how their communication skills are developing. As you respond to this question, more than likely, you will think about several different […]

Social Communication Skills With Your Child Who is Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)By Carla A. Brooks Successful communication depends a great deal on what we see around us. Without vision, children learn to recognize what is in their world through touch and sound and the language input others offer. The language you use to support your child’s understanding and help […]

Behavioral Issues in Children with Blindness or Low Vision: A Guide for Parents

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)By Carla A. Brooks As a parent, you have hopes and dreams for your child who is blind or low vision. Most parents hope their child will be healthy and happy and continue to grow and thrive, learning the skills that will prepare him or her for an […]

Podcast with Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish) Listen to the Podcast with Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell Transcript of the Podcast with Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell Narrator: Hello and welcome to this AFB Press Podcast. Featuring a discussion with Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell, author of the book, Reach Out and Teach: Helping Your Child Who […]

Everyday Learning

Your child begins life without an understanding of the world around them. Sighted children learn to make sense of their world by observing daily occurrences. They will learn by interacting with the world—physically exploring objects and processes.

Back view of baby girl in pink with pony tails, waving her hand sitting in sandy beach.

Building Knowledge in Infants and Toddlers Who are Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)Your child begins life without an understanding of the world around them. Sighted children learn to make sense of their world by observing daily occurrences. Your child will learn to make sense of the world by gathering information using any vision they may have. They will learn by […]

Incidental Learning: What Is It?

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)Did you know that educators believe more than 80 percent of what children learn comes to them through their vision? If you find that surprising, consider what happens when entering a room. At a glance, you’ll typically see and understand the room’s contents. Understanding who’s there, what they’re […]

A toddler wearing glasses examining a frog in her hands

Experiencing the World Firsthand: Creating Learning Opportunities for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)by Anne McComiskey Experiencing the world firsthand by doing is the most effective way that young children who are blind or low vision can accurately build their ideas about life in general and things in their world specifically. The richer the variety of experiences children who are blind […]