Visual Tracking Activities

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 9, 2019

The Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments can work with a student to help them develop efficient use of their vision for shifting their gaze between materials presented and visual tracking objects and people. These skills will help prepare a student for learning as well as prepare them for safe and efficient travel.

​Visually Track Slow Moving Lights, Objects, and Faces

Visually track slowly moving lights, objects, and faces horizontally to the midline and vertically. Rather than practicing this skill for extended periods of time or outside of the context of an activity, select toys/materials with lights. When presenting the item to the student, encourage the student to visually fix on the item and then slowly track it before giving it to them.
 
Track horizontally across midline, and diagonally. This can be worked on in a similar way. Move the item slowly, if the student loses their visual fix, return the item to where the student lost the fix and wiggle it, if necessary, to gain their attention.

Visual Track the Movement of Pets

Track the movement of pets within the immediate environment. Some students may be more motivated to watch the playful movements of pets instead of people. If this is the case, encourage them to develop the skill with pets and then transfer the skill to observing and tracking peers and adults. 

Visually Track Movement of Adults and Peers

Describe gross and fine motor movements of adults and peers in an indoor settings. Ask the student to observe and comment on the actions of people in their near, midrange and distance environments.

Visually Track Movement of Toys

Encourage students to visually track the following items.
  • Balls rolling,
  • wind up cars,
  • train sets,
  • racetracks,
  • create "roads" and encourage the student to drive matchbox cars on the road;
  • marble run activities;
  • and watch floating balloon and catch.

Strategies & Activities for Working with Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (MIMO)

Cover of Strategies and Activities for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities with pictures of 3 students
​In this presentation I discuss instructional strategies I find helpful when working with students with mild to moderate (MIMO) disabilities in addition to visual impairments as well as tips for dealing with challenging behaviors. The majority of the presentation will provide instructional activities and I share my favorite activities that I use with my students. Most of the activities can be found in my book a TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC or in the grab and go supplemental resources. It is common for students with mild to moderate delays in addition to visual impairments or blindness to need to spend longer working on concepts and skills, I’ll share how I keep activities fresh so the student doesn’t get bored and it keeps me from getting bored too.  This presentation is packed full of activities you can begin using immediately with your students! 

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