#370 - Improve Your Child’s Ocular Motor Skills With These Fun At-Home Visual Activities

All Things Sensory by Harkla

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3M ago 34:06

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In this episode, we break down what ocular motor skills really are, how they affect your child’s behavior and development, and most importantly simple at-home activities you can start using right away to help.

They also share how retained primitive reflexes, screen time, and missed developmental milestones can all impact how your child’s eyes work together — and why this often goes unnoticed.

Whether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode is full of practical tools you can start today. Here’s what you’ll learn:

What ocular motor skills really are (hint: it’s not just 20/20 vision!)
Signs your child might be struggling with visual tracking or coordination
Easy, playful at-home activities for:

Saccades (eye jumping)
Pursuits (smooth tracking)
Convergence & divergence (eye teaming)

How primitive reflexes and screen time impact vision
Tips for building a consistent and doable home exercise routine

And, we'll answer a listener question at the end of the episode. Happy listening!

LINKS

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Ocular Motor Skills Screening Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMSVhwIL5wI&t=11s

Assessing Primitive Reflexes Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkGDm3t2hb8&t=1s

Brock String Instructions

https://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/guide-to-vision-therapy/vision-therapy-faqs/how-is-a-brock-string-used/

Spot It

https://www.spotitgame.com/

Zoomball

https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-6219-Zip-Ball/dp/B00E6DXQU8/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9wtOAvhcy8jgIIeXS3esac48UmRrA0araB1icT_BW19b5HZVhEuyaKG-Ol5vGUNVEPSfO1x7UHrpflm1GmNTMLbeaernwnXIy-Dku7CqPUBlD9pnMEHeFNF54jWVJcgWOa_UXJ7HbqnmbqssbFeU-NfwXZH5MN1xLnOP5z6dFqN5X0yr4OzQ3EVyl155PjJ6sInCbUUCcQoLp70CERAeNxnQ1wiE6p-IZb6Gd_SrrjT-JrbMONntd9tdIflCvBKEl2mlfk6wwc-Jj20SJKoRAc8LZCOieWhOYy5zQBC9VLA.i5FuA9BWsSe4NReui8vk3vdZFtEmEpBd_hPz8xfAfHc&dib_tag=se&keywords=zoom%2Bball&qid=1752800406&refinements=p_72%3A1248963011&rnid=1248961011&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-3&th=1

A Balanced Brain Full Digital Course

https://harkla.co/products/balanced-brain

Early Intervention Blueprint Full Digital Course

https://harkla.co/products/infant-sensory-development-course

All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/

Harkla Website

https://harkla.co/

Harkla YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily

Harkla Instagram

392 episodes

#Parenting #Jessica Hill #Rachel Harrington #Occupational Therapy #Health and Well-Being #Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L #Sensory Integration #Special Education #Sensory Processing Disorder #Autism #Special Needs #Teaching #Autism Spectrum Disorders #ADHD