Why Vision Matters
Interview with Karen Shankland
Speakers
As a Behavioural Optometrist, Karen has a passion for promoting high standards of vision care for children and embracing a holistic treatment approach for children. She is particularly interested in how visual difficulties negatively impact a child’s ability to learn.
Karen Shankland
Nicolette de Klerk teaches at St. James Primary in Kalk Bay, Cape Town. Nicolette brings her strengths of humility, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and spirituality to teaching.
Nicolette de Klerk
Key Takeaways
- We explore the importance of optometry’s role is within the multidisciplinary team, and highlight some of the common vision problems that directly affect children’s learning abilities.
- Learn to spot specific signs and symptoms that indicate possible visual impairment in a child.
- Explore how, even if a child has 20/20 eyesight, certain visual difficulties could negatively affect their attention and academic skills, like reading and writing.
Action Ideas
- Before diagnosing a “learning difficulty”, check to see if there may be a visual barrier that hinders your pupil’s ability to learn.
- The general global recommendation is to have children’s eyes tested before the age of one, then again before they go to kindergarten, which is usually around age three, and then again before they go to grade one.
- Visual screenings don’t replace a full eye examination but they’re important for schools to implement. Try reaching out to a local optometrist and see how they can assist your school. (Spec-Savers provide free glasses for children ages 12 years and under).
Resources
- Visit Eye Can Learn, a free vision therapy resource that provides fun eye exercises to develop visual processing skills in children.
- Visit: https://i-canlearn.westerncape.gov.za/
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Download the “Educators Checklist” below to use in your classroom
Thank you for listening!
If you would like join our community email us at, lynn@positiveeducation.co.za