Your Cart is Empty
In this episode, we break down what ocular motor skills really are, how they affect your child’s behavior and development, and most importantly simple at-home activities you can start using right away to help.
They also share how retained primitive reflexes, screen time, and missed developmental milestones can all impact how your child’s eyes work together — and why this often goes unnoticed.
Whether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode is full of practical tools you can start today. Here’s what you’ll learn:
What ocular motor skillsreally are (hint: it’s not just 20/20 vision!)
Signs your child might be struggling with visual tracking or coordination
Easy, playful at-home activities for:
Saccades (eye jumping)
Pursuits (smooth tracking)
Convergence & divergence (eye teaming)
How primitive reflexes and screen time impact vision
Tips for building a consistent and doable home exercise routine
And, we'll answer a listener's question at the end of the episode. Happy listening!
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
Ocular Motor Skills Screening Video
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Many children today are missing critical developmental milestones—not crawling, not spending enough time on their tummies, and not moving freely in their environments. Instead, they’re often placed in containers like car seats and bouncers, limiting the natural movement necessary for healthy brain and body development.
One area we’re seeing more challenges in is ocular motor skills. While most parents think of vision as simply “20/20 sight,” ocular motor development goes far deeper—and it plays a crucial role in everything from reading and writing to coordination and confidence.
Ocular motor skills are the functional movements of the eyes that support how we interact with the world. These include:
Saccades: Quick eye movements between two stationary points (e.g., looking from a board to a notebook).
Smooth Pursuits: The ability to smoothly follow a moving object with the eyes.
Convergence/Divergence: The eyes work together to track an object moving toward or away from the face.
Quick Tip: Passing a school vision screening doesn’t mean ocular motor skills are intact! Those screenings check for acuity, not functionality.
Modern childhood has shifted drastically—and it’s impacting development:
Too Much Screen Time: Watching screens encourages eyes to focus in 2D, limiting depth perception and natural eye movement.
Not Enough Movement: Tummy time, crawling, and free play help build the visual system. “Container babies” miss these foundational experiences.
Retained Primitive Reflexes: Unintegrated reflexes like the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) or Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) can restrict ocular motor development.
Neurological Immaturity: Delays in motor and sensory systems often show up first in the eyes.
“Vision leads movement.” When a child’s eyes aren’t moving fluidly, their entire body (and brain!) can be affected.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies make that should integrate as they grow. But if they remain “active,” they can interfere with developmental skills, especially ocular motor coordination.
For example:
ATNR can make it hard for a child to visually cross midline.
TLR affects postural control, which influences eye stabilization.
Moro reflex may cause sensitivity to visual stimuli, leading to avoidance or anxiety.
Here’s the great news: You can make a huge difference with fun, simple activities at home. Consistency is key, so aim for 5–10 minutes daily and keep it playful!
Spot It! Game: Hold up two cards and have your child find the matching image by visually jumping between them.
Letter Wall Search: Tape letters on the wall and use a flashlight or laser pointer to find them.
Sticker Charts: Create columns of stickers and have your child name each item while looking left-right.
Blow A Pom-Pom: Use a straw to blow a pom-pom across a table and watch it move.
Bubble Chasing: Pop bubbles with fingers or feet in crab walk position.
Ball-and-Cup Game: Roll a ball across a table and catch it in a cup. Add a challenge with two balls!
Pencil Push-Ups: Slowly bring a pencil toward the child’s nose and back out, encouraging eye tracking.
Zoom Ball: Use this toy to help the eyes track in and out in a dynamic way.
Near-Far Tasks: Have your child look at a letter chart on the wall, then copy letters onto paper.
Want to go deeper? Addressing retained reflexes can supercharge progress with vision skills.
ATNR Activity: In a quadruped (hands and knees) position, look side to side reading visual cards on each wall.
TLR Exercise – Fly To The Moon: In Superman position, track your thumb as you move it in and out.
Cat-Cow With Charts: Alternate between looking at charts on the wall and on the floor as you move through yoga poses.
Usevisual timers to set expectations.
Keep sessionsshort and sweet—2 to 5 minutes is a great starting point.
Offerpraise and rewards for effort, not just accuracy.
Let your childpick the game or activity when possible.
If your child:
Can’t visually track without head movement.
Fatigues quickly during visual tasks.
Struggles with reading, copying, or eye contact.
… It may be time to consult adevelopmental optometrist orpediatric occupational therapist.
OT Tip:Rule out what you can, and then rule it in. Collaboration between OTs and vision specialists is key for holistic support.
Helping your child strengthen their ocular motor skills isn’t just about eye exercises—it’s about building confidence, attention, and independence. With playful routines and consistent support, you’ll be giving your child tools that make life easier in and out of the classroom.
And remember: You’re not alone on this journey.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
