![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Parenting Information |
|
![]() |
Vision: 20/20 Is Not Enough!
Now is an excellent time to have your child's vision checked. Don't be too quick to say, "My child's vision is fine: 20/20!" In many cases that is not enough. The Snellen chart, the instrument most frequently used to test eyesight, often gives people a false sense of security about their vision. It measures only acuity -- and that at a distance of 20 feet. How much does your child read at that distance? The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that about 25 percent of children enter school with vision problems that can impede their school progress. Almost 50 percent of children with learning difficulties have vision problems, and up to 94 percent of children with reading problems have reduced visual skills. Why does the Snellen chart leave some of these problems undetected? Vision involves much more than the sharpness of an image. It involves focusing -- and refocusing as attention shifts between far and near (as when copying from the board). It involves binocularity, the two eyes working together to capture accurate pictures of our world and of the printed page. Vision also involves perception, the brain's interpretation of the images taken in by the eyes. Many people believe that vision should be checked by an ophthalmologist, the person with the highest credentials. While it is true that an ophthalmologist is an M.D., he or she has spent about the same amount of time studying the anatomy, functions, and diseases of the eye as an optometrist has spent studying vision alone. To check my child's vision I would seek an optometrist, specifically a "developmental" or "behavioral" optometrist. Not only will the vision exam be more thorough, but the developmental optometrist may prescribe a course of "vision therapy" to remedy problems. Often we take vision for granted and do not think of it as a learned behavior. Because it is learned, however, through practice we can improve it. Experts speculate that the frequency of vision problems may be increasing because with television, video games, and computers, children today do not use their eyes in as many different ways as children did formerly; overall the vision of children entering school is less developed than it was a few decades ago. What symptoms might indicate a vision problem? Any time a bright person struggles with reading, further investigation is warranted. Consider these specific questions in relation to yourself as well as in relation to your children or students. Answering yes to even a few of the questions justifies further examination. Do not discount a "yes" even if it is limited to special circumstances, such as fatigue. Do you (or does the child) . . . ? hold reading material extremely close or far away? ? have poor posture or an unusual head tilt while doing close work? ? squint the eyes or open them very wide? ? cover one eye? ? frequently blink or rub the eyes? ? suffer from headaches, eyestrain, or fatigue? ? require excessive time to complete schoolwork or other near tasks? ? lose a place often when copying? ? skip words or lines when reading? ? report that words on a page blur or move? ? have poor comprehension of material read? ? run words together when writing? ? have poor hand-eye coordination? I have first-hand experience with vision problems. I will be eternally grateful to Jane Porchey, my younger son's kindergarten teacher, for identifying his vision problem in October. She noticed that although he could count, he kept getting the wrong answer when counting dots in a square. Working with him individually and having him point to the dots as he counted them, she discovered that for him the dots moved. It is not unusual for children with vision problems to have words and letters swim on the page, appearing and disappearing, doing flip-flops. Imagine trying to read under these circumstances! Even if you could manage to decode the words, you would have very little reserve attention to devote to comprehension. Life can be very frustrating for people with vision problems. The world as a whole is likely to be fluid and chaotic for them. School in particular is likely to become a source of failure. It has been found that 70 percent of juvenile delinquents have vision problems that interfere with their ability to achieve. In one study, however, the rate of recidivism dropped from 45 percent to 16 percent when offenders received on-site vision therapy. People with vision problems usually do not realize that they have them; they have no reason to think that their view of the world is different from everyone else's. My son's story has a happy ending. After a few weeks of vision therapy, his eyes began working together better. Letters and numbers were less mobile. He was able to corral his writing into primary triple-rule. By spring his penmanship looked like the handwriting chart. His behavior improved, too. The frustration he had experienced in school -- and in the world in general -- had often made him sad, contrary, and belligerent. Once he discovered order in his world, he became cheerful, confident, generous. Two self-portraits -- both made in kindergarten -- show how John changed as a result of vision therapy. The first, made in September, shows the most forlorn-looking child I have ever seen. I did not even recognize him as the child I had lived with for six years. The crayon lines are rather faintly drawn. One eye is about an inch lower than the other; he has no nose or mouth. Stringlike arms issue from his sides, the right arm about three times longer than the left. His right arm sprouts three fingers; his left arm, five, the shortest of which is longer than the arm itself. Although a patch of magenta represents his shorts, he has no legs or feet. The second self-portrait, done in May, includes me. The lines of the drawing are firm. We both have noses, U-shaped smiles, and eyes that are directly across from each other. We both have legs and feet. We are, in fact, nearly identical as we stand with our arms around each other. Preschoolers -- even infants -- can benefit from examination by a developmental optometrist. If a problem is identified very early, correction might be possible before the problem has a chance to cause difficulty in school. Adults, too, can benefit from vision therapy. I urge you to have your children's vision evaluated by a developmental optometrist as soon as possible, particularly if your children are having learning difficulties or if vision problems run in your family. Such an evaluation can only work for good. If a problem is discovered, you can begin working to correct it. If no problem is identified, you will have ruled out one possible cause of learning difficulties. That, too, is worthwhile. For additional information about symptoms, therapy, and parent support groups, visit this site sponsored by Parents Active for Vision Education (P.A.V.E.), a national non-profit organization: http://www.pavevision.org/ A parent and former teacher, Fran Hamilton is the author of Hands-On English, now in its second edition. Hands-On English gives quick access to English fundamentals and makes grammar visual by using icons to represent parts of speech. The book is for anyone 9 years or older, including adults. Fran also publishes companion products to Hands-On English and free e-mail newsletters: LinguaPhile, published monthly, is for people who teach and/or enjoy English; Acu-Write, published weekly, addresses common errors in English. For more information, visit http://www.GrammarAndMore.com.
MORE RESOURCES: Find out why Anthony Bourdain’s boeuf bourguignon is one of our most popular recipes ever The Washington Post When you’re tired of cooking, these 10 easy recipes help you get food on the table ASAP The Washington Post 5 chicken stir-fry recipes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner The Washington Post The Dish Recipes: Chicken Tacos WesternSlopeNow Recipes with Rachel: Cajun Chicken Pasta — a perfect 30-minute meal for the week The Edwardsville Intelligencer This one-pot pumpkin, black beans and rice recipe makes cleanup a breeze The Washington Post 30 Best Mushroom Recipes - Delicious Mushroom Ideas for Dinners and Meal Prep - GoodHousekeeping.com 30 Best Mushroom Recipes - Delicious Mushroom Ideas for Dinners and Meal Prep GoodHousekeeping.com 21 Best Quick Bread Recipes — Easy Banana Bread Ideas countryliving.com 4 recipes for smoothies that stick with your vegan, Keto, paleo and dairy-free diet resolutions San Antonio Express-News 50 Recipes You Need to Try in 2021 | Eat This Not That Eat This, Not That How to make fish pie – recipe The Guardian From Pot Stickers to Italian Bean and Vegetable Soup: Our Top Eight Vegan Recipes of the Day! One Green Planet Recipes: Bloody mary mix not just for cocktails Atlanta Journal Constitution Restaurant-worthy brunch recipes re-create the weekend meal’s leisurely magic at home The Detroit News ‘In Bibi’s Kitchen’: The recipes and stories of grandmothers from the eight African countries that touch the cleveland.com A week’s worth of healthful recipes to jump-start your cooking in the new year The Washington Post RECIPE: Make Woodward & Park's Okonomiyaki Atlanta Journal Constitution Spicy and Tingly Beef Recipe - NYT Cooking The New York Times Our easiest pantry recipes for making no-sweat dinners Los Angeles Times 15 Plant-Based Matcha Recipes that Aren't Drinks! One Green Planet The 10 Most Popular Recipes of 2020 Bon Appetit Kid-friendly recipes for at-home learning Observer-Reporter Advice, tips, recipes all meant to help teach 'How Not to Diet' but to stay well The Providence Journal Recipe: Endive and Roquefort Slaw with Peel and Eat Shrimp Atlanta Journal Constitution Seasoned to Taste: Connecting to the past this inauguration through hand-me-down recipe Lincoln Journal Star McClellan: Quick, easy recipes to share | Barbara Mcclellan | news-journal.com Longview News-Journal Recipes: Willa Jean Cornbread, Cornbread Madeleines Minneapolis Star Tribune My 10 favorite Dinner in Minutes recipes of 2020 include étouffée, Instant Pot stew and chicken, chicken, chicken The Washington Post The secret ingredient in these 5 recipes? Ketchup! The Washington Post These Chefs’ Recipes Make Pasta Exciting Again The Wall Street Journal The 13 Most Popular Basically Recipes of 2020 Bon Appetit RECIPE: Comeback Sauce from Grace Meat + Three STLtoday.com You Won't Believe These 4 Easy Chia Pudding Recipes Are Healthy mindbodygreen.com Restaurant-worthy recipes recreate weekend meal's leisurely magic at home Jefferson City News Tribune Fortified wine from Sicily leads to easy, delicious Chicken Marsala (recipe) | Janet Podolak The Morning Journal Your New Breakfast Plan The New York Times Most Popular Healthy Recipes of 2020 Bon Appetit New Year's recipes for dishes to light on fire - Washington Post Washington Post 7 one-pan recipes that max out on comfort, not dishes to wash The Washington Post What Is the Best Casserole Recipe? The Ringer Why You Should Follow the Recipe The New York Times A Kitchen Resolution Worth Making: Follow the Recipe Exactly The New York Times Recipe: Cheesy Birria Tacos ourcommunitynow.com MISS OLIVIA: Three sweet recipes | Community | thedailytimes.com Maryville Daily Times Recipe of the Week: A 10-ingredient pad thai recipe that works for shrimp or chicken Gwinnettdailypost.com Cocktails without alcohol are frequently mediocre. Here are some recipes that actually taste good San Francisco Chronicle Recipe: Vegan Mango-Coconut Green Smoothie San Antonio Express-News Cooking with Big Red soda. Recipes for smoked pork ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and sweet and sour chicken San Antonio Express-News Recipe: Piselli (braised peas in tomato sauce) Atlanta Journal Constitution Recipes: Belly wins when freezer fails Waterbury Republican American My Recipes I Brianna Wray - The Times Waitsburgtimes Lewis County Recipes: Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake Lewis Herald Recipe: Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie San Antonio Express-News Dietary restrictions prompt German Village sauce entrepreneur to publish recipes ThisWeek Community News A crispy feta and panko topping gives this lentil gratin its zing The Washington Post Recipes That Are Helping Columbians Cope During the COVID Crisis Columbia University The Dish Super Bowl Recipes: Hot Wings WesternSlopeNow The 10 Most Popular Recipes of December 2020 Bon Appetit Diversity Week Recipe #3: Fave E Cicorie And Pasta Alla Norma By Elena Giorgi Los Alamos Reporter Ramen Nachos and Cheesecake? This TikToker Is Cooking His Way Through All the Pastabilities POPSUGAR |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Back to School Feng Shui Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the malls in search of the perfect sneaker or the cool new outfit for the coming school year. However, it's unlikely that the new shoe or shirt will benefit them as much as a new design in the bedroom. Awesome Dads Top Ten Communication Intentions An Awesome Dad in by no means perfect. But that itself is perfect, because imperfection allows us to really understand the personal evolution our children are going through with us. Frequently Asked Questions About Reading To Your Child Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you feel he or she should be starting to read, but they have no interest in books whatsoever? I had the same problem with my son. Gosh, he would rather chew on 'The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes' than read a word from it! Here's a short list of questions which I find very relevant if you're concerned about your kids' reading habits. Helpful Tips for the Adoptive Grandparent Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent. Grandchildren are one of life's joys, whether they come by birth or via adoption. My Teenaged Parents Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled. But, as the single parent of teenagers, I stunk! Faced with the reality of children who could (and did) do whatever they really, really wanted to do, I was often baffled. How to Prepare for Labor Although nothing anybody says can ever completely prepare a woman for the day she delivers her first baby, there are some simple suggestions that should help make this amazing experience a little bit easier.First of all there are three very honest realities about childbirth that your doctor, mother, grandmother, and maybe even your best friend will probably not tell you. Stop Lying NOW Do you have a consistent problem with your child lying to you, even though he or she is normally a "good" child? Sometimes the lies are even about things that don't really matter or your child continues to lie in the face of overwhelming proof to the contrary?It is my firm belief that we will not end lying behavior in our children until we take away the consequences for telling the truth. This is a concept explored in greater detail within Nancy Buck's book, Peaceful Parenting®. Dads, Handle your Kids Mistakes One of the most difficult parts of being a father is learning to accept your children's mistakes. It certainly can be easy to be loving, supportive, and helpful when your children are mistake-free, but most fathers who are paying attention don't find too many mistake-free periods of theirchildren's lives. Assertiveness: Key to Better Parenting I have always been aware of my number one weakness: non-assertiveness. But I have come a long way from the time when I couldn't say 'no' to a child molester and not understanding the importance of telling my parents. Parenting Your Teenager: What Parents Say About Teens What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying not to fix their problems. 10 Steps to School Year Success One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring that your child gets a good education. School is a place where your child not only learns skills such as reading and writing; it is also where your child will learn about friendship, responsibility, and fairness. Motivation - The Key to Your Childs Educational Success For the first year or two of life outside the womb, our brains are in the most impressionable state they will ever be in. A baby's brain is immediately shaped by interacting with their environment. Why Me? Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count." --Neil MaxwellYesterday morning, my family and I got up at 5:30am in Mexico to begin our journey home from a holiday retreat. Taking Home Souvenirs, Not Junk Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip highlight! Do you cringe at the sight inexpensive trinkets and novelty items that will be lost or broken in the span of hours? Plan your souvenir strategy early and help your child assemble a collection that is unique and will last for years to come, preserving the memories of your travels together. First, come up with a theme. Vouchers --- Parents, Dont Depend On Them Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for tuition in private schools, sound good in theory. The problem is that voucher programs are few and very far between. 10 keys to Developing Your Childs Genius Would you like your child to be the best that he can be - to achieve his maximum potential? Imagine how successful your child can be with a brilliant mind, lightening fast learning skills, an accurate, lasting memory, creativity and problem solving skills of a genius. Here are 10 keys to developing your child's genius. Ten Tips for a Great First Day of School! Many children are jittery on the first day of school. Listed are ways to prepare your child for the big day!-Read books about school. Top 20+ Reasons to Pay your Kid an Allowance 1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. Teenagers Taking Risks It can be hard being a parent with a teen going through what I term the 'I'm Invincible' phase. This is the phase when teens start doing scary and dangerous things (according to us parents) as a way of testing out their physical limits. Time, Stress, and a Baby The main thing we noticed since having a baby is that time is a more valuable good. We do not have enough time for many things or time is really tight to accomplish certain tasks before the next feeding time has come. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 |