Here is a list

of toys and activities that can help your child develop or improve various

vision skills, according to the Georgia Optometric Association.

Birth-5

months

Toys: Sturdy

crib mobiles and gyms; bright large rattles and rubber squeak toys.

Activities:

Peek-a-boo; patty cake.

6-8 months

Toys: Stuffed

animals; floating bath toys.

Activities:

Hide and seek with toys.

9-12 months

Toys: Sturdy

cardboard books; take-apart toys; snap-lock beads; blocks; stacking/nesting

toys.

Activities:

Rolling a ball back and forth.

One-year-olds

Toys: Bright

balls; blocks; zippers; rocking horse; riding toys pushed with the feet.

Activities:

Throwing a ball.

Two-year-olds

Toys: Pencils,

markers, crayons; bean bag/ring toss games; peg hammering toys, sorting

games; puzzle blocks.

Activities:

Read to child; outdoor play; catch.

3-6 years

Toys: Building

toys with large snap-together pieces; stringing beads; puzzles; pegboard

crayons; finger paints; chalk; large balls; modeling clay; simple sewing

cards; tricycle; follow-the-dot games; sticker books and games.

Activities:

Climbing, running; using a balance beam.

Seven years

and up

Toys: Bicycle;

jump ropes, pogo sticks; roller skates; different size and shape balls;

target games; remote controlled toys; complex puzzles.

Activities:

Active sports; cycling.

"When

buying toys, remember to select those that are well-made and age appropriate,"

says Dr. Paul Ajamian, president of the Georgia Optometric Association.

"Provide proper eye safety equipment for older children and be certain

that they wear protective eye wear when participating in eye-hazardous

sports and when using chemistry sets, shop tools, BB guns or other items.

Inexpensive homemade toys can be just as effective in helping children

develop and improve their vision skills as expensive store-bought ones."