Visual Motor Learning - Rotations: Kinesthetic - Visual
Purpose: To develop the feeling in arm movement of leading the eye movement
Apparatus: Balance board, small target – like a pencil eraser.
Method:
- Have child stand on a balance board with feet spread and with good posture.
- Move target in slow circles from a few inches in diameter to about 3 feet in diameter at just beyond arm's length from child. Make circles at all angles: flat in front of child, toward and away from him. Direct child to watch the target and follow the rotational movement.
- Have child point his finger at the target with his arm, rather than following it. Be sure to use each hand. Switch from time to time. Hold arms straight out.
- Watch the eye for jerky movements, hesitancy, and cutting corners on the circle. Watch finger for accuracy of pointing at the target.
- If the rotation is irregular in one particular area, go back and forth over the area without doing a complete rotation. Spend equal time doing rotations to the right and the left with each eye.
- HEAD MUST BE FIXED - NO HEAD MOVEMENT.
- Repeat this activity at various distances from the child.
Aspects to be Emphasized:
- The development of the feeling that the arm is "leading” the eye. This must be stressed to the child during the activity.
- Smooth eye movements and accurate finger pointing.
- Good balance on the balance board.
- Awareness of rest of the room and stability of the visual background.
