Black & White Infant Stimulation Cards & Cognitive Development

High-contrast black and white cards help newborns develop their full visual potential faster. According to Dr. William Sears at AskDrSear.com, these simple black and white cards register on the newborn's retina and send a strong signal to the developing brain. This helps cement the link between the eye and brain.

  1. How a Newborn's Eyes Develop

    • A baby̵7;s vision actually starts developing before birth. According to opthamologist Gary Heitling from AllAboutVision.com, the blood vessels around the baby̵7;s retina develop in response to the light that filters through the mother̵7;s body and into the womb. After birth, the newborn has limited vision as the retina begins to react to the stronger light outside the uterus. She is less aware of light, her visual range is short, between 8 and 12 inches from her face, and she can̵7;t always focus both eyes on a single item. By her second or third week, she will begin to see bright colors such as red, yellow and orange, but she will still be more attracted to the higher contrast of black and white images.

    High-Contrast Cards

    • Black and white image cards help the baby focus. These cards come in a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns and materials. The simplest cards are black and white stripes. The stripes might be in straight, curved or zigzag patterns. High-contrast cards also feature shapes from simple circles or squares to complex snowflake or hexahedron images. Many also feature line drawings of the human face. Parents should look for cards that are large and sturdy. Consider plastic or laminated cardboard.

    How to Use the Cards

    • According to Sears, parents should start with simple striped cards. The stripes stand out and are easiest for a newborn to see. These stronger images aid brain development and cause faster visual development. Hold the card 8 to 12 inches from the baby̵7;s face. Because many newborns enjoy looking at their mother̵7;s face, it might be necessary to hide your own face behind the card. Parents can also suspend the cards over the infant̵7;s crib. As the child grows and alert more often, add other images. This keeps the baby interested and stimulated.

    When to Worry

    • Don̵7;t worry if your baby isn't fixated on these images hours after birth. Instead, save the cards for those times when she is awake and alert. In addition, because she is learning to use the muscles around her eyes, she might appear cross-eyed. This is not a cause for concern. However, she should begin to have some visual skills by 2 months of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that she should be able to track an object with eyes and even recognize familiar people and items from a distance. Talk to your pediatrician if your child hasn̵7;t reached these milestones.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How many diapers will a baby use in one year?
      Its impossible to give an exact number for how many diapers a baby will use in a year, as it varies greatly depending on factors like:* Babys weight and feeding type: Breastfed babies tend to have more frequent, watery stools, which can lead to more
    • How to Determine a Baby's Hair Color
      When you’re expecting a baby, it’s natural to wonder how she will look. As you envision her future, keep in mind that genetics can influence many of her physical traits, like her hair color. While scientists don’t know a lot about h
    • Can a baby breathe through its mouth?
      Yes, babies can breathe through their mouths. While nose breathing is preferred, babies are capable of breathing through their mouths, especially when their noses are congested or blocked. Heres why:* Nasal Congestion: A stuffy nose is common in babi