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Eye exercises can help children build and maintain strong eyesight and improve vision, without the use of spectacles or contact lenses. These are safe to do and are ideal for children of all ages.
Here are some easy eye exercises you can teach your child.
Tracking exercise
The goal: improve eye tracking and make reading easier.
How it works: hook a ball to a piece of string. Hang the ball so that it is even with your child’s nose. Then, ask him to watch the ball as you swing it from side to side. Your child should be following the movement of the ball with his eyes only – no head movements.
Rotating exercise
The goal: stretches the eye muscles and increases their flexibility.
How it works: instruct your child to rotate his eyes in a clockwise motion. After completing one full circle, ask him to rotate his eyes in a counter-clockwise motion. Repeat the exercise a few times, making sure that your child blinks in between.
Memory games
The goal: increase your child’s visual memory.
How it works: show a picture to your child for a few seconds. Then, give him a minute or two to try and remember what he saw. When ready, get him to recall as much about the picture as possible. The more he can remember the better.
Eye “writing” exercise
The goal: strengthens your child’s eye muscles.
How it works: have you child face an empty wall. Give him a word and tell him to write it out using his eyes only. Do not let him move his head as he does this.
Clock exercise
The goal: reduce eyestrain and improve vision.
How it works: tell your child to imagine that there’s a large clock in front of him. Have him look at where the centre of the clock would be. Then, say a number and ask him to look at where it would be on the clock. Do this a few times. Finish off by telling your child to look back at the centre of the clock. Remember: eye movements only.
Eye care for life
Help your child understand the importance of caring for his eyes. Teaching him to strengthen his eyesight early on will benefit him as he grows older. The longer he can avoid eye glasses and contacts, the better. Also, supervise your child until you are sure that he can handle the eye exercises on his own.
