Development

Your baby is growing and developing every day. Your baby may be starting to show signs of likes, dislikes, happiness, and frustration, as well as wanting to move and learn. These are all stages and milestones to work towards. Your child will grow and develop at their own unique time.

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

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, […]

A little baby girl wearing eyeglasses playing with a toy.

What Can Your Child See?

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 […]

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

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 […]

A little girl playing with natural materials.

Growth and Development for My Baby with Blindness or Low Vision

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, […]

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

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 […]

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

Fine Motor Skills for Young Children

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 […]

Communication Skills for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision

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 […]

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

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 […]

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

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 […]

Podcast with Dr. Kay Alicyn Ferrell

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 […]

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

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 […]

Incidental Learning: What Is It?

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 toddler wearing glasses examining a frog in her hands

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

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 […]