Finding Focus Through Vision: Creating a Calming Visual Environment for Children

As a pediatric occupational therapist with years (decades) of experience, I often emphasize the impact of our senses on a child's ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in daily tasks. While I often discuss touch, movement, and sound, the visual environment plays a crucial role as well. Just as certain sounds can soothe or certain textures can ground, specific visual input can have a remarkably calming effect on a child's nervous system.

When I think about creating a visually calming space, the key is to consider things that are predictable, consistent, and less stimulating. This often involves adding predictable rhythmic patterns, making sure the stimulus remains constant or moves slowly, dimming the lights, and utilizing blue-green and darker shades of color. These visual properties tend to be less demanding on the brain's processing, allowing for a greater sense of calm and focus.

Think about the gentle, predictable flicker of a candle (always observed from a safe distance!) or the slow, mesmerizing bubbling of a lava lamp. The steady movement of fish in an aquarium or the gradual movement of liquid in an oil and water timer can also be incredibly soothing to watch. Even natural phenomena like slow-moving clouds drifting across the sky or the gentle sway of leaves or long grass in the wind offer calming visual input.  Even an underwater video of gently swaying kelp can bring a sense of calm.

Adding these calming visual items can be helpful during times when a child needs to focus, transition between activities, or get ready to sleep. Creating a specific quiet area with dimmer lighting or using blue-green colored overlays for reading can minimize visual distractions. Engaging in activities like doing puzzles or looking at books with less cluttered pages can also promote visual focus without overstimulation. Even the simple act of clearing off a cluttered workspace can significantly reduce visual noise and promote a sense of calm organization. By being mindful of the visual input we provide, we can create environments that support a child's ability to find focus, regulate their energy, and ultimately thrive.

What do you already have at home that you could use for some visual calming? Comment below!

You've got this!

-LeeAnn