What is it? Visual tacking is a fine motor skill that allows us to focus our eyes on objects which are still or moving. When a baby is born they can only see approx 6 inches clearly, which is about the distance from their parents chest to face, so that they can see us whilst feeding. Anything past that 6 inches is a blur. They can only see in black and white with some shades of grey to start with. 

Between 2 and 4 months your baby will be able to see more colours, starting with red and their vision will extend and shapes will become more defined. 

A baby’s vision improves and changes significant changes during the first year. Key stages in that development are: 

Newborns (0-1 month): 

• At birth, babies are sensitive to bright light so their pupils are small to limit the light entering the eye. 
• They can see objects that are near them using peripheral (side) vision, but their central vision is still developing. 
• Within the first few weeks, the retinas mature and the pupils widen, allowing them to see light and dark shades and patterns. 

2 to 4 months: 

• As the eyes development they may not develop at the same rate and may not work together so it is normal for them to occasionally cross or wander in opposite directions! 
• At about 2 months old, they can follow a moving object with their eyes. 
• By 3 months, they might be starting to reach out a fisted hand to hit an object. 

5 to 8 months: 

• By 5 months their depth perception (the ability to judge distances) develops. 
• They start to see the world in three dimensions. 
• They can now recognise their parents across a room. 
• They are seeing in much more colour, though not as vividly as an adult yet. 
• Babies can see objects outside when looking through a window. 

8 to 12 months: 

• Baby can focus on fast moving objects. 
• Baby can grab a moving object as their hand – eye co-ordination improves. 
• By 12 months baby’s vision is similar to an adults. 

Why does it matter? Visual tracking is important because it allows children to see moving objects, scan their environment for information, aids gross and fine motor skills and hand – eye co ordination and helps to accurately shift gaze from one object to another. 

Being able to visual track an item will help with reading, writing and skills such as catching a ball or seeking out a face in a crowd. 

Other areas of your baby’s development that are linked to visual tracking include: 

• Visual Fixation – maintaining a gaze on a target. 
• Vestibular System – Sense of balance and movement that helps control eye movements. 
• Attention Skills – Ability to sustain focus and concentration on one thing. 
• Midline Crossing – Ability to cross the imaginary line dividing the two sides of the body with the eyes.   

How can we help? We do lots of work on visual tracking in our classes, right from baby massage with happy sun hands high and low, adding in instruments, props and more sensory items as your baby gets bigger. 

There are visual tracking games you can play at home with your baby to encourage their visual skills! 

When baby is in a good mood and happy to play laying them down or letting them sit up depending on their age, take a brightly coloured scarf or muslin or a toy and move it from side to side. 

Start slowly with little ones and move the item to the side and up and down until they reach the limit of their sight and can no longer follow. Instruments are great to use as well as it encourages them to listen as well as see. 

As they get bigger move the object forward and backwards too and touch the object to their hand so that they start to reach out for it. 

If they do reach and grab the object try to let them hold it so that they get the satisfaction of grabbing the object. 

Keep it simple and fun! 

In class we are very used to seeing little babies in massage only just manage to follow their parents wiggly finger moving up and down or a chiffon moving about above them, as we move to Sensory Song and Stretch they start off working really hard to follow any item. They are often distracted by faces and want to smile and socialise. Within a few weeks seeing them track an item, then start to reach and grab the item is glorious! Our classes are all about progression and working with your baby’s developmental abilities whilst encouraging them to practice these all important skills and seeing them grow and change and achieve these little milestones is an absolute honour!