Hearing and Vision - Podcast Version 0:00 / 0:00 1x 0.25x 0.5x 0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x 2x to Child development is the process by which the dependent infant matures into the independent adult, functioning within society. It is a complex interweaving of biology, psychology and environment where each skill builds on the ones that have come before and provides a foundation for those skills yet to develop. Development in humans follows a predictable pattern and a rough schedule but no individual develops in exactly the same manner as any other. It follows an orderly pattern (unlike almost everything else regarding children); from top to bottom, central to outer and simple to complex. What is important, when considering normal development, is progress and parity; that children are moving forward in the different areas of development at roughly the same rate. Disparity in progress between areas of the body (e.g. the right side and the left or the lower limbs and the upper limbs) or between domains of development (see below) is concerning, as is regression (i.e. loss of previously attained skills). This article will outline the typical stages of development that children go through. The features typically seen at each age are described below. Hearing and vision Hearing and vision refers to the acquisition of mature sight and sound interpretation. These two areas of development are vital as they allow for development within other domains. For example, in order to acquire a gross motor skill such as walking or running, it is important that the child has adequate vision to do so. Age Feature Newborn Fascinated by human faces Turns head towards light Startled by sudden noises 1 month Turns head towards diffuse light and stares at bright objects Startles to loud noises 3 months Focuses eyes on same point Moves head deliberately to gaze around them Prefers moving objects to still ones 6 months Adjusts position to see objects Turns towards the source of sounds 12 months Sees almost as well as an adult Knows and responds to own name 18 months Recognises themselves in the mirror 24 months (2 years) Recognises familiar people in photographs Listens to conversations with interest 30 months Recognises self in photographs Recognises small details in picture books 48 months (4 years) Matches primary colours Listens to long stories with attention 60 months (5 years) Can match 10 colours References (1) Kapoor, Barnes, “Developmental Assessment”, Paediatrics, Edition 4, 2013 (2) Lissauer, W. Carroll, “Normal Child Development, Hearing and Vision”, Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics, Edition 5, 2017 (3) Sheridan, M. D., From birth to five years; children’s developmental progress, 3rd edition revised and updated by A. Sharma and H. Cockerill, Routledge 2007 (4) understood.org (5) thecommunicationtrust.org.uk (6) Meggitt, C., Child development, an illustrated guide, 2nd edition, Heinemann 2006 (7) kidsmatter.edu.au Authors: 1st draft: Trainee doctor Hannah Murray Senior review: Dr Louise Ingram (Paediatric specialist registrar) Do you think you’re ready? Take the quiz below Pro Feature - Quiz Hearing and Vision Question 1 of 3 Submitting... Skip Next Rate question: You scored 0% Skipped: 0/3 1000+ More Questions Available Upgrade to TeachMePaediatrics Pro Challenge yourself with over 1000 multiple-choice questions to reinforce learning Learn More Frequent questions What is the significance of hearing and vision in child development? Hearing and vision are crucial for a child's overall development as they facilitate the acquisition of other skills, such as gross motor abilities. Adequate sensory input allows children to interact with their environment and learn effectively. At what age do children typically start to focus their eyes on the same point? Children usually begin to focus their eyes on the same point around three months of age. This ability marks an important milestone in their visual development, enabling them to engage more actively with their surroundings. How do children’s visual recognition skills evolve by the age of 24 months? By 24 months, children can recognise familiar people in photographs and show interest in conversations. This development reflects their growing cognitive abilities and social understanding. What developmental milestones are associated with hearing at six months of age? At six months, children are able to turn towards the source of sounds, indicating improved auditory processing. This skill is essential for language development and social interaction. What are the typical visual skills of a child by the age of five years? By the age of five, children can match ten different colours and listen attentively to long stories. These skills demonstrate their advancing cognitive and perceptual abilities, which are foundational for learning. Rate This Article