The Best Activities for the Visual System

ByHeather Greutman Hours

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If your child is struggling with visual input throughout the day, whether at school or home, there are some strategies you can try to help. Today I want to share a little about the visual system and some of the best activities for the visual system.

What is the Visual System?

The visual system consists of using our eyes to see what is far or close to us. A typical person is able to use smooth and precise eye movements to scan and visually assess their environment

For children who struggle with visual input, you may notice them struggling with the following things:

  • sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent lights
  • overly distracted by classroom or home wall decorations
  • poor eye-hand coordination
  • difficulty tracking across a page while reading
  • difficulty copying from the chalkboard

The Best Activities for the Visual System 

Here are some ways you can help a child who is struggling with visual input:

  • minimize wall decorations or distracting designs and patterns 
  • adjust the lighting in the home (cover florescent lights or turn them off and use natural light or lamps)
  • use a table easel or slanted board to bring the work surface into a more upright position
  • tossing bean bags at a target
  • use visual schedules 
  • i-spy books or pages 
  • complete mazes and puzzles 
  • color mixing activities 
  • make shadow puppets on the wall 
  • play with glow sticks 
  • use lava lamps for a calming space 
  • spray a target with a water gun 

Free Handout on the Visual System

I have a free handout on the visual system, along with all 8 sensory systems in these 8 sensory systems printable packet. You can access it for free when you subscribe to Growing Hands-On Kids. I send a weekly newsletter of child development tips, tools, and strategies, plus other free handouts and printables.

To get your free printable packet, put your email address into the form below. You'll be redirected to a thank you/success page and then check your email for the free download. You'll also receive my free sensory systems email series with more tips and ideas for all 8 sensory systems.

Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

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Heather Greutman, COTA

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Do not rely on the information on the Website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the Website. All medical information on the Website is for informational purposes only.

All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog.

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