Niagara Parents Knowledge Base (To be used by Healthcare Professionals only - DO NOT SHARE EXTERNALLY) > Child Health > Growth & Development > Physical Development > Infant/Toddler
Vision

References:


By 6 weeks

Most infants can:

  • Move their head and eyes together
  • Blink
  • Be able to look at bright lights for a short period of time


Most infants enjoy:

  • Looking at faces when held closely
  • Bright contrasting colors and reflective objects
  • Watching moving objects such as mobiles 
  • Making eye contact
  • Focus on objects 8-15 inches away
  • Only see in black and white



By 3 months

Most infants can:

  • Stare at hands and food
  • Be able to follow object/person with their eyes
  • Stare at parent/guardian’s face


Most infants enjoy:

  • Bright colored and patterned objects
  • A night light in their rooms
  • Staring and reaching for toys hung above their cribs



By 6 months

Most infants can:

  • Move eyes to observe surroundings including sources of sound
  • Look at distant objects
  • Grasp for objects
  • Smile and laugh when they see their parent/guardian’s face
  • See a full range of colors


Most infants enjoy:

  • Staring at their reflection
  • Toys that move
  • Playing peek a boo



By 12 months

Most infants can:

  • Glance for toy that drops
  • Inspect people and objects
  • Turn eyes inward when objects are close to face
  • Look at activities for longer periods of time


Most infants enjoy:

  • Staring outside windows
  • Looking at thick cardboard coloured books[KS3]
  • Complex patterns and shapes



By 2 years

Most children can:

  • Stare and reach for objects
  • Look and point at pictures in books
  • Point to objects and people
  • Master hand eye coordination activities

Most children enjoy:

  • Taking trips to watch people and activities
  • Books with simple objects
  • Looking at photos of familiar family members



Symptoms warranting consultation with physician

  • Bumps, styes and sores either on or near eyelids
  • Eyelids that are enlarged or contain crust
  • Eyelids that droop
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
    • Symptoms:
      • Pus
      • Red swollen eyelid
      • Watery drainage
    • Causes:
      • Tear ducts blocked
      • Chemicals (ex eye drops)
      • Bacteria from mother’s vagina during birth
        • Gonorrhea
        • Chlamydia
    • Precautions:
      • Keep infants under 3 months away from visitors with cold and flu
  • Pupils with white haziness appearance
  • No eye contact with parent/guardian by 3 months
  • Does not follow object with eyes by 3 months
  • Eye turns or crosses
  • Squinting or closing one eye when looking at objects
  • Excessive blinking, squinting, touching of eyes, tearing
  • Sensitivity to bright lights



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