Visual tracking is the ability to move the eyes from left to right, up and down etc. to follow an object or look at information. As Occupational Therapists we assess whether a student is able to use isolated eye movements to smoothly track across a visual field. If a student's eyes "jump" or they lose the object we have them track, then they may be missing information presented in the classroom in a visual manner. This skill is important for academic activities such as reading, writing, copying and scissor skills.

Visual Tracking Activities

• Do puzzles while finger tracking.

• Use a newspaper or magazine article. Ask your child to highlight all of the letter “a's” then change letter for next article and also try numbers.

• Draw or paint pictures.

• Place a marble in a pie pan and watch it move without moving your head.

• Play “I Spy.”

• Dot-to-dot pictures.

• Mazes

• Flashlight games- follow the light with your eyes or follow light with your own light.

• Balloon Volleyball – blow up a balloon and start hitting it back and forth to each other.

• Reading books together while finger tracking to guide the eyes and fade finger tracking as smooth eye movements increase.