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How black and white contrast cards help in developing newborns’ vision
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support!
You’ve probably seen videos of my daughter looking at black and white cards or me working with my infant using black and white images. Montessori black and white cards are very common. But do you know why, as a Montessori guide, I recommend the use of black and white cards for infants.
When children are born, their sense of sight is not fully developed and they need visual stimulation to help them develop their vision. This is when simple high contrast black and white cards for infants come into play.
In this article, you will learn:
I am excited to share with you the advantages of using black and white cards with your baby, so let’s get started!
We are so used to decorating our baby’s Montessori room or play area with bright colors like red and yellow. You may even decorate their nursery with pink or blue, depending on your child’s gender.
These colors do very little for newborns since they are still developing their sense of sight. One thing parents overlook are activities that help develop your child’s vision. Newborn black and white cards have so many benefits in your child’s development.
Remember that newborns can recognize high contrast images (black on white, white on black) placed at about 8-11 inches from them. Setting these black and white images on the ground during tummy time or on their mobile as they lay down is ideal.
The best high contrast images you can use are simple images like geometric shapes and simple patterns. I designed printable black and white cards to help with your child’s development and you can get them on my Etsy shop.
These are the same black and white contrast cards I used with my infant. You can check out one of my Reels here.
Do babies see black and white better? The simple answer is yes. Simple images are a good way to start but as your child’s sense of sight develops, you can begin showing them more complex images and patterns. The printable black and white images I created include geometric shapes, botany, and patterns.
You can begin using high contrast images right after birth. Since newborns don’t have a fully developed sense of sight, using black and white images at this age will provide a lot of visual stimulation.
During the first few weeks, images may appear blurry, but as their vision develops, they will begin to recognize objects better. This is why it is very important to use high contrast images to support your baby’s cognitive development.
Creativity and imagination is the limit. But for someone who is new to using infant black and white cards, this can be a small challenge. Here are some activities you can do with your newborn with black and white images.
Your baby may only be able to keep his head up for a couple of seconds at first, but as his muscles and vision get stronger, he’ll be able to focus on the card for longer periods of time.
As mentioned earlier in this article, I created my own printable black and white cards to use with my infant. These cards gradually get more complex. You can purchase these newborn black and white cards on my Etsy store.
Another great product I recommend is the Play Gym by Lovevery. The Play Gym comes with a set of black and white cards that can be placed in the Focus Zone of the play gym. I consider the Play Gym a must have item to aid in the overall development of your child.
Here are the answers to common questions about the use of black and white cards for infants. After you read through this section, you will have a better understanding on how to use infant black and white cards.
The short answer is yes. It’s best to start with simple objects like the geometric shapes I created, but once your child develops his sense of sight, you can begin using more complex images like patterns.
My black and white cards for infants were strategically created. Once your baby is able to recognize simple shapes, she can progress to the next set of black and white objects and eventually patterns.
Newborn babies can only focus on objects for a second or two since they are still developing their vision. As babies get older, they can focus on black and white images for longer periods of time.
I really credit the use of high contrast black and white cards for my child’s development. We started using them right after birth and once her sense of sight improved, she was able to focus on other objects like lights, picture frames, and people!
Placing black and white images in front of your infant will help him develop his sense of sight. Some of the main benefits of black and white cards are improved cognitive development, visual development, increased attention span, and stimulation of the optic nerve.
You can begin using black and white cards with your newborn immediately after birth. Babies grow up very fast, and so does their brain. The best way to contribute to your child’s development is to do activities that stimulate their development, including the use of black and white cards.
Black, white, and shades of gray stimulate your child’s brain development. When babies come into this world, these are the colors they can distinguish better since their vision is still developing.
Black and white images send strong signals to their brain. These signals stimulate brain growth and help in visual development.
High contrast black and white cards are a necessary tool for your baby’s development. You can use black and white cards during tummy time to stimulate your baby’s vision and cognitive abilities.
When you look at your newborn baby, you may think that he or she is just laying there not doing much. But in fact, your baby is taking in a lot of information and all their senses are being stimulated.
The use of black and white contrast cards plays a huge role in your infant’s visual development. Placing black and white images in front of them stimulates their optic nerve and helps them transform messages into images.
Now that you know the benefits of black and white cards, go and have fun with your child. As you show your baby black and white images, narrate what you see and engage in meaningful conversations.
Hello, I am Leslie. I am on a mission to help you support the growth and development of your child. With the right tools and proper guidance, you can navigate parenthood with confidence and assertion! My goal is to equip you with knowledge to help you construct a strong foundation for your child’s life.
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