For every parent, getting the most our of their child’s education is of paramount importance. Particularly when it is the child’s first year at school. Impaired vision can really affect learning, so as your child approaches their first term at school it is a good idea to take them for an eye test – even if they have not shown any obvious signs of problems with vision.
Around 80% of learning in the early years of school is visual, and young children who cannot express problems they are having with their vision can be seen as inattentive. This can spiral into a larger behavioural issue if left unchecked. Getting your child’s eyes tested is the best way to ensure they get the best start at school.
The sooner that any problems with the eyes are picked up and addressed, the better the outcome. Conditions such as a squint or lazy eye can be recognised by an optician before they become evident to a parent. Early treatment of such conditions can make a real difference to children who suffer from them.
If your child is already at school, it’s worth regularly asking them how they are finding the visual aspects of the classroom. Can they clearly see the blackboard / whiteboard / whatever the new digital version is! Can they see it clearly even from the back of the classroom? If you don’t get a confident answer to your questions then it is definitely a good idea to take them for an eye test.
As many parents will attest, visits to doctors, dentists etc are not the most preferred activities for children. Some will doubtless feel the same about their first visit to the opticians. At Paine and Hunter we have years of experience in testing childrens’ eyes, and our friendly opticians will help you to put your child at ease. After the eye test you can take them to one of our lovely neighbouring shops or cafes for a reward!
