Visual Perceptual Skills refer the brain’s ability to make sense of what the eyes see. This is not the same as the term visual acuities, which means how clearly a person sees (for example “20/20 vision”). A person can have 20/20 vision and still have problems with visual perceptual processing. Good visual perceptual skills are needed for reading, writing, cutting, drawing, completing math problems, as well as many other skills. A child who has problems with perceptual processing might have difficulties working puzzles, copying block designs, or discriminating shapes, pictures or letters.
Visual Spatial processing falls under the umbrella of visual perception and is the ability understand directional concepts for organizing visual space. For example, it is the ability to perceive the position of two or more objects in relation to each other and in relation to your own body. For example, if you are walking through a room, you must know where you are positioned in relation to the walls, floor, other people, and furniture in that room. If you have visual spatial problems, you may have challenges with maneuvering through space, with ball skills, and with writing and spacing between words and letters.
Recent research has revealed that the language parents use related to spatial properties causes young children to better attend to spatial information. For example, toddlers who frequently heard words such as “over, under, beside, tall, round, and short” from their parents scored better on spatial tasks at an older age! Additional research tells us that practicing can improve spatial abilities. Since spatial processing is related to success in science, technology and math, as parents, we might as well take steps to expose our children to spatial language and activities!
GIVE AWAY: The winners of the visual perceptual workbook give away have been contacted. Congratulations! Stay tuned for future give aways…be sure to “like” my Facebook page and sign up for my newsletter and you will automatically be entered when I have one!
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