--- title: Vision Skills | The Vision Therapy Center description: A breakdown by age of the visual skills you can expect to see in your child as they grow. --- - [Make an Appointment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/schedule-an-appointment) - [Make a Payment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/make-a-payment) - [Locations](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/locations) - [262-784-9201](tel:2627849201) [![The Vision Therapy Center](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/hs-fs/hub/91892/file-369705767.jpg?width=246&height=95&name=file-369705767.jpg "The Vision Therapy Center")](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com) - [Home](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/old) - [What is Vision Therapy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy) - [Symptoms](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/symptoms) - [Treatment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/treatment) - [Functional Vision Exam](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/diagnosis-functional-vision-test) - [ADHD](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/adhd) - [Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/amblyopia-lazy-eye) - [Concussions](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/vision-problems-after-concussions-concussion-symptoms-eyes) - [Convergence Insufficiency](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/convergence-insufficiency-convergence-excess) - [Double Vision (Diplopia)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/double-vision-diplopia) - [Dyslexia](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/dyslexia) - [Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/strabismus-crossed-eyes) - [Costs](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/costs-the-vision-therapy-center) - [Appointments and Billing](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/appointments-billing) - [About Us](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/about-us) - [Success Stories](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/category/success_stories) - [Resources](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources) - [Presentations](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/schedule-a-presentation-on-vision-therapy) - [Studies](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources/clinical-studies) - [Parents](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/parents) - [Teachers](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/teachers) - [Optometrists](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/optometrists) - [News - Media](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/media-in-the-news) - [Links](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources/links) - [Blog](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy) - [Contact](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/contact) - [Privacy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/data-usage-page) # Vision Skills at Different Ages ## Expected Visual Performance ### Birth to 6 weeks of age: __Stares at surroundings when awake __Momentarily holds gaze on bright light or bright objects __Blinks at camera flash __Eyes and head move together __One eye may seem turned in at times ### 8 weeks to 24 weeks: __Eyes begin to move more widely with less head movement __Eyes begin to follow moving objects or people (8-12 weeks) __Watches parents’ faces when being talked to (10-12 weeks) __Begins to watch own hands (12-16 weeks) __Eyes moving in active inspection of surroundings (18-20 weeks) __While sitting, looks at hands, food, bottle (18-24 weeks) __Now looking for, and watching, more distant objects (20-28 weeks) ### 30 weeks to 48 weeks __May turn eyes inward while inspecting hands or toys (28-32 weeks) __Eyes more mobile and move with little head movement (30-36 weeks) __Watches activities around him or her for longer periods of time (30-36 weeks) __Looks for toy he or she has dropped (32-38 weeks) __Visually inspects toys he or she can hold (38-40 weeks) __Creeps after favorite toy when seen (40-44 weeks) __Sweeps eyes around room to see what is happening (44-48 weeks) __Visually responds to smiles and voices of others (40-48 weeks) __More and more visual inspection of objects and persons (46-52 weeks) ### 12 Months to 18 Months __Now using both hands and visually steering hand activity (12-14 months) __Visually interested in simple pictures (14-16 months) __Often holds objects very close to eyes to inspect (14-18 months) __Points to objects or people using words “look” or “see” (14-18 months) __Looks for and identifies pictures in books (16-18 months) ### 24 months to 36 months __Occasionally visually inspects without needing to touch (20-24 months) __Smiles, facial brightening when views favorite objects and people (20-24 months) __Likes to watch movement of wheels, egg beaters, etc. (24-28 months) __Watches own hand while scribbling (26-30 months) __Visually explores and steers own walking and climbing (30-36 months) __Watches and imitates other children (30-36 months) __Can now begin to keep coloring on the paper (34-38 months) __“Reads” pictures in books (34-38 months) ### 40 Months to 48 Months __Brings head and eyes close to page of book while inspecting (40-44 months) __Draws and names circle and cross on paper (40-44 months) __Can close eyes on request, and may be able to wink one eye (46-50 months) ### 4 years to 5 years __Uses eyes and hands together well and with increasing skill __Moves and rolls eyes in an expressive way __Draws and names pictures __Colors within lines __Cuts and pastes quite well on simple pictures __Copies simple forms and some letters __Can place small objects in small openings __Passes all the milestones described on preceding pages __Visually alert and observant of surroundings __Tells about places, objects or people seen elsewhere __Shows increasing visual interest in new objects and places Remember, the ages shown here are approximate because children develop at different rates. However, if you have concerns about whether your child’s vision is developing appropriately, consider scheduling a functional vision exam.  - [Vision skills at different ages](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/parents/symptom-checklist) [![Download Free Vision And Learning Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/9a66240e-3e6e-459b-8027-4be1180ce93e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/9a66240e-3e6e-459b-8027-4be1180ce93e) [![Take The Vision Quiz Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/aca1f99a-1967-4799-9438-475fe9e4d667.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/aca1f99a-1967-4799-9438-475fe9e4d667) [![Ask a Question](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/bc86389b-9cef-45ee-82db-14ff28de6ec1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/bc86389b-9cef-45ee-82db-14ff28de6ec1) ### Latest Blog Posts [![Schedule a Presentation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/cb8b985f-b3e2-4581-a54c-7ed4bcc894ff.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/cb8b985f-b3e2-4581-a54c-7ed4bcc894ff) [![Subscribe to our eNewsletter](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/8ab35db9-aac5-4398-b5f1-c998f827d24f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/8ab35db9-aac5-4398-b5f1-c998f827d24f) [![ab-seal-horizontal-large.jpg](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/hs-fs/file-495781739-jpg/images/ab-seal-horizontal-large.jpg?width=200&name=ab-seal-horizontal-large.jpg "ab-seal-horizontal-large.jpg")](http://www.bbb.org/wisconsin/business-reviews/eyesight-training/the-vision-therapy-center-inc-in-brookfield-wi-14037425/#bbbonlineclick) - [Home](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/old) - [What is Vision Therapy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy) - [About Us](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/about-us) - [Success Stories](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/category/success_stories) - [Resources](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy) - [Contact](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/contact) - [Privacy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/data-usage-page) **The Vision Therapy Center, Inc.** – Phone: 262-784-9201  FAX 262-784-9206 ***Locations*** **The Vision Therapy Center, Inc. - Brookfield, WI** 13255 W Bluemound Rd #200 Brookfield, WI 53005 262-784-9201 ****Brookfield hours of o**peration / **8 am - 6 pm M-Th  -  8 am - 5 pm F **The Vision Therapy Center, Inc. - Madison, WI **4781 Hayes Rd #103 Madison, WI 53704 262-784-9201 ****Madison hours of o**peration /** 9:15 am - 5:45 pm Th **The Vision Therapy Center FDL, LLC - Fond du Lac, WI **101 Wisconsin American Drive, Suite 800 Fond du Lac, WI 54937 262-784-9201 **Fond du Lac hours of operation / **9:00 am - 6:00 pm Tues  © 2026 The Vision Therapy Center