Teaching Toddlers Visual Discrimination

Hi everyone! Happy Thursday! I hope you're having a great, short week!

Recently, my 20-month old daughter, L, and I have been exploring the beginning stages of visual discrimination. Visual discrimination is the ability to recognize details in visual images, which may include identifying similarities or differences in objects.

Visual discrimination is an important skill for learning early math and pre-reading. Toddlers need to recognize similarities and differences in objects before being able to easily recognize and identify numbers and letters.

We began by exploring similar objects. I showed L an object that she's familiar with, such as a cup. I then showed her another cup that was the same color and size. We talked about how the attributes were identical. I then let her independently explore several others cups that differed in non-defining attributes (such as size and color). After letting her notice the similarities and differences, we talked about how all of the objects were cups, but some were different sizes and colors. Although they weren't all exactly the same, they were all still cups. Talking to your toddler is more powerful than you think!

I then showed her an activity that I created for her. I had bought two identical packs of first-word flashcards, similar to these. I laminated the cards for extra durability. I then put one set of the cards in a pocket chart, similar to this one, as shown below. I stuck a clear hook and loop dot (think Velcro) to the plastic strip on the chart. I stuck the other half of the hook and loop dot to the back of the second set of laminated cards. I offered L a bowl with all of the matching cards and showed her how she can "stick" them to their match on the chart. I started with images that she's familiar with (as shown below). I then added in some new vocabulary, such as a guitar and a hammer. I created this using a pocket chart with the idea in mind to easily swap out the images.

It's important to offer this type of activity with both fictional and nonfictional (illustrations and photographs) objects. Another activity I created can be found here. I simply found some real photographs of things that L is interested in. You can create your own based on your toddler's interests, or you can feel free to use the same template that I created for L.

This activity was very easy to put together. All I had to do was print two copies of the photographs. I glued one sheet to the inside of a file folder and then laminated it. I laminated the second set of pictures separately. Again, I attached the clear hook and loop dots. L had a blast matching the similar photographs. Like before, I eventually swapped the photographs out with unknown images to help develop some new vocabulary. This activity is great at helping strengthen her fine motor, too! (Below, L is shown completing this same activity, but using illustrations.)

Soon, I will create some activities to continue to challenge L. She's ready to move on to maybe discriminating by size, grouping objects by category, and matching opposites. Visual discrimination is a skill that continues to build rapidly. It's fun to watch and support!

At ryco, we've been brainstorming activities we can create for little learners to help enhance teaching early visual discrimination skills digitally. What are some ideas that you'd like to see come to life? Share with us in the comments below and stay tuned!

Thanks for reading! I hope you continue to follow along to find (and share!) inspiration, information, and innovation! :-) Have a great weekend everyone!