As much as you rely on your eyes daily, they play an even bigger role for young kids. From infancy to early childhood, vision heavily impacts child development. After all, these are the organs most use to absorb information, learn unspoken cues, and more. This is why schools regularly conduct eye exams to ensure kids have all the necessary tools for optimal learning.
However, it’s not enough to just rely on these interventions alone. Reports say that while one in four children in the US needs ocular correction, up to 75% of these issues are missed in these routine vision screenings. As such, it’s best practice for parents to find ways to not only attend to their kids’ eye health themselves but also to teach children the value of caring for their own vision. Here are a few easy but effective ways you can get kids excited about eye health so that you can create a well-rounded vision care plan.
Gamify the experience
Kids today are part of the “digital-first” generation, meaning using gadgets in daily life is absolutely normal for them. While some parents may scoff at this, it can be to your advantage in many aspects. For eye health, for instance, you can make use of the many online and gamified platforms that make vision care more interesting and relatable for kids.
To illustrate, the eyewear retailer Lenscrafters launched Eye Odyssey in the hopes of making the process of getting kids glasses more fun. A virtual experience on Roblox, this edutainment game teaches kids how to maintain good vision across ten levels with their online companion, Blinky. This interactive approach helps kids learn at their own pace and develop a genuine interest in the topic. For slightly older kids, the American Optometric Association also has a mobile game called Blink Land designed to impart healthy eye habits. According to Future Education Magazine, edutainment is highly effective among children as it increases engagement, critical thinking, and real-life application.
Let them express themselves
Children can be notoriously stubborn when it comes to adopting things they feel are forced upon them. This can include wearing corrective and protective eyewear like sunnies or specs. One way you can get around this is to ensure them that wearing eyewear can be a great means of self-expression. Regardless of whether your child needs corrective lenses or if you’re just trying to get them to wear more protective gear like shades or blue light glasses, there are plenty of options that your kid can choose from today. Even leading brands like Ray-Ban have special lines just for kids.
So, rather than picking out their eyewear for them, let them do it. Take them to the optical store and let them have fun trying on different pairs and choosing the style and color they like best. This will help them feel more confident and comfortable in their eyewear, which promises consistent use. Just remember that you still need to look for certain attributes in the pairs they choose. For corrective glasses, look for lightweight frame materials that won’t dig in after extended use. Meanwhile, for sunglasses, which are classic accessories, look for shades that are scratch-resistant and coated with UV filters so the sunnies can keep up with your child.
Encourage new hobbies
While we have proven that technology can do your child’s eyes some good, you still want to encourage them to pursue other screen-free experiences. This is because excessive screen time is still a potential hazard, as the blue light from gadgets can cause retinal damage over time. Apart from affecting the eyes, blue light can also impact moods and sleep, which are two critical aspects of child development.
However, instead of simply telling them off, which may cause some kids to want to be online more, offer them other exciting activities. Preferably, this could include some sort of outdoor playtime. Experts on The Conversation note that while you want to avoid overexposure to UV rays, regular sun time is beneficial for kids’ eyes. Around one to two hours of sun exposure a day can help stimulate dopamine production in young eyes. This helps regulate the growth of the eyes, which is a great way to prevent myopia
