Visual processing is visual short-term memory - what goes in through the visual channel to the brain and right back out.  This vital skill picks up information from the environment which then has an opportunity to be stored in long term memory.   Scarcity of visual processing ability can require a child to use other channels (auditory or tactile) to bring in information which may not be the most efficient.  More about efficient input of information in a future tip of the month.

A preschool child with deficits in visual processing experiences difficulty remembering numbers, letters and words.  For more information about this important skill see TEACHING BABIES by Kay Ness in the Articles section of our website. 

An older child with inefficiencies in this area could have difficulty in just about everything:  math, spelling, reading, visual attention, picking up visual information and eye contact.  The good news is that you can help your child with this weakness in just 2 two-minute sessions a day!

There are several different ways to work on visual processing.  One is with digit cards (child must be able to easily recognize number 0-9).  Full instructions are available in our free visual processing test kit.  Access this kit by going to our website or by email: orderdept@littlegiantsteps.com (put "visual test kit" in the subject line).  If your child doesn't recognize numerals, ask for the "Visual Tiny Tot kit".

So that you have a reference point, a one year old should be able to hold one piece of visual information, a two-year-old, two; a three-year-old, three, etc., up to seven.  Seven is minimum for a child 7 years of age or older.  The better a child processes, the more readily information is absorbed.  The more you work on developing this skill, the more information your child will pick up from his environment. When proficient, his sponge-like ability to pick up visual information will amaze you!   

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