This is a very good question, and one worth discussing. I absolutely agree that old-fashioned reading, music, and outside play are the best activities to stimulate creativity and personal development. These should be encouraged as much as possible.

This is a list of “toys.” The primary goal of this list to provide options for gifts that will promote visual development. These are alternatives to gifts such a “Hannah Montana” Wig and microphone, an Easy-Bake Oven, or Jonas Brothers CD. These gifts may be fun and spark creativity, but not specifically promote visual development.

The list I have includes games that involve fine visual discrimination, visual spatial judgments, color recognition, sensory integration (eye-hand coordination, eye-ear coordination, or visual-balance coordination), visual planning, and/or visual imagery (mental picture) development. These are the kind of activities I recommend to parents in general and specifically who are patching to treat amblyopia.

Regarding the Wii specfically, I am way beyond the time in my life when I play video games, but my younger brother has one. I can tell you from first hand experience that the 3D graphics and game design require significant spatial reasoning and visual planning, as well as eye-hand coordination. In fact, I recently spoke to an Occupational Therapist who is implementing the Wii into her program for these types of benefits.

That being said, moderation is absolutely the key for these types of activties – reading included – to maintain visual comfort and efficiency.

Thanks for asking, Janet!

I keep telling my kids, “Wii Wii? No No!” I’d rather have them reading, practicing their piano, or better yet, playing outside!

Thanks for your help in choosing quality toys.
Janet Hughes