By 6 weeks
  • stares at surroundings when awake
  • briefly looks at bright lights/objects
  • blinks in response to light
  • eyes and head move together
By 3 months
  • eyes glance from one object to another
  • eyes follow a moving object/person
  • stares at caregiver’s face
  • begins to look at hands, food and bottle
By 6 months
  • eyes move to inspect surroundings
  • eyes move to look for source of sounds
  • swipes at or reaches for objects
  • looks at more distant objects
  • smiles and laughs when he or she sees you smile and laugh
By 12 months
  • eyes turn inward as objects move close to the nose
  • watches activities in surroundings for longer time periods
  • looks for a dropped toy
  • visually inspects objects and people
  • creeps toward favourite toy
By 2 years
  • guides reaching and grasping for objects with the vision
  • looks at simple pictures in a book
  • points to objects or people
  • looks for and points to pictures in books
  • looks where he or she is going when walking and climbing

As their vision develops, babies enjoy:

By 6 weeks
  • looking at you while you hold them close
  • looking at toys with bright colours
  • looking at objects with reflective qualities (such as mirrors)
  • watching mobiles with simple black and white shapes
  • watching things that move
By 3 months
  • studying your face
  • watching toys move from the side to the front of them
  • looking at and reaching for objects hanging across their cribs
  • toys with bright colours and interesting patterns
  • using a night light in their rooms
By 6 months
  • looking at their reflection in a mirror
  • looking back and forth between two favourite objects
  • seeing the world from different positions (e.g., high chair, floor, other furniture)
  • toys that have complex patterns and toys that move (e.g., “jack in the box”)
  • playing “peek-a-boo” games
By 12 months
  • putting toys in and out of containers (and also in their mouths)
  • playing with similar objects of different sizes (e.g., stacking rings, nesting cups, blocks)
  • looking at board books with thick cardboard pages and simple coloured pictures
  • pushing buttons or twisting knobs to make toys start
  • watching outside activities through a window
By 2 years
  • reading books with pictures of simple scenes and objects
  • looking at photographs of family members and pets
  • playing with simple board puzzles
  • using blocks to play with and to build towers
  • making trips outside to the store, the park, the library to watch people and activities

From: “Services for children who are blind or have low vision” – Ontario’s Blind – Low Vision Early Intervention Program