Children are not always forthcoming when they are struggling at school but you’ll soon know about it if the thing that they are struggling with is their eyesight. Why? Well, children speak up quickly when they think that they can get a pair of cool looking glasses, but it’s important to know whether it’s a cosmetic issue or a real one.
It isn’t always easy for children to communicate when they’re having vision issues. Mostly, this is because children can’t determine whether they have eyesight that’s getting worse, or if that’s how they’re supposed to always see. They may not know that the green blobs they see as they walk to school are supposed to be leaves, either. A trip to the ophthalmology clinic will clear it up nicely, but before you get to that point, you need to know the signs that they are having issues in the first place. So, we’ve put a list together for you below:
- Your kids are acting out. We know that children tantrum and flip out over certain things but if they’re having trouble seeing, outbursts at school can become a pattern. It’s frustrating to try and read and not be able to do it. It’s also a sign that they’re not seeing well enough in school because they are gaining poor grades, and so it’s vital that you have your child’s eyes tested as often as every three years.
- Reading is becoming an issue. Of course, plenty of children avoid reading if they can because they would much rather do other things. Skipping over lines when they’re reading or being unable to remember something they’ve just read is often less to do with comprehension and more to do with a lack of being able to see. If you notice this, get your child’s eyes checked as there could be some issues you may be overlooking.
- There are some physical symptoms. Are there headaches? Have you noticed squinting? Are your children rubbing their eyes as they watch the TV? Sore eyes and red eyes are also signs that there could be issues with their vision, so pay some close attention. Physical symptoms are often way more obvious and you will spot these almost right away.
- Squirting during activities. We talked about squirting being a symptom, and it’s important to notice this because they could be short-sighted and need glasses. They might be having trouble focusing on objects and that can be hard to reconcile for your child. A simple eye test can make a big difference here, and you can ensure that they are supported if they are having those issues. If they’re at school, they may be squinting at the board. Moving them to the front of the class is usually the solution but if this isn’t working, going and getting their eyes tested is smart.
Children need to be supported in their learning and sometimes that means visual aids. Get them tested early as early intervention can be the difference in their health.
