Understanding Colorblindness Facts for Kids

Overview

• If you are not colorblind, it can be difficult to imagine what someone with this condition sees. Explain to kids that colorblindness doesn't mean you can't see any colors at all. It is the inability to distinguish between certain colors. A better term for this condition may be "poor color vision." According to MayoClinic.com, a person who is colorblind may have trouble seeing the colors red, green and blue, and mixtures of these colors. Most people with this condition can't distinguish between certain shades of green and red, while in some cases people cannot see the difference between shades of yellow and blue. To someone who is colorblind, a deep green leaf and bright red flower may seem to be a washed-out tan or gray.

Cones and Colors

• What do cones have to with colorblindness? Cones are tiny cells inside the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye, that contain color-sensitive pigments. Explain to kids that each eye has "red," "blue" and "green" cones that help them see these colors and shades or combinations of them. The eyes need all three types of cones to see colors properly. If the cones do not function properly or contain the right types and amounts of pigments, the brain cannot get the right message about what color it is seeing. This is colorblindness.

Causes

• Color vision problems are usually inherited through genes and present at birth, just like other physical traits. If your child is colorblind, assure him that it is not because of anything he can control, such as his diet or how often he watches television. Also explain that this condition is very common and affects more boys than girls. Color Blindness Awareness states that almost 1 out of 12 males and 1 out of 20 females are colorblind. Eye doctors can test for this condition by showing children a picture made up of small different-colored dots; if you are colorblind you won't be able to clearly see the picture within the dots.

Effects

• Being colorblind is a problem with sight and can lead to some drawbacks for people affected by it. Colors are often used in preschool and school to stimulate kids to learn; brighten their environment; and provide contrast to artwork, bulletin boards and decorations. KidsHealth advises that using many colors can hinder learning for a colorblind child. He may not be able to distinguish among many shades of red, green, orange, yellow, gray, brown, blue and purple. A colorblind child will prefer reading a book that has simple black lettering on a white background because he cannot properly see colored letters on a colored background. Teachers and parents must take this into account and make the correct accommodations for kids with colorblindness.