Visual tracking refers to the ability to fixate and follow a moving object. It allows us to efficiently move our eyes from point to point (think about how your eyes fixate and move while reading). It's a skill that begins at birth and is what your baby is working on when you hang those attractive visual mobiles to capture their focus.
In the first few months of life, babies are naturally drawn to high-contrast patterns, bright colors, and moving objects, and their ability to visually track these stimuli steadily improves over time. This skill is crucial for cognitive and motor development because it helps babies learn to coordinate their eye movements, which is a foundation for activities such as reading and hand-eye coordination later in life.
Visual tracking can be supported as a game with your baby during floor play:
Begin by placing high-contrast pictures or rattles that make interesting sounds within your baby's line of sight. Allow them to fixate on the object.
Move the object slowly to encourage them to follow the motion with their eyes.
Be sure to change directions to give your baby well-rounded practice.
Note: You can do this without toys. Many babies find everyday household objects and decor fascinating, as it helps them make sense of their surroundings. You could hold up a family photo or one of their newborn portraits!