Teaching visual discrimination is important ! I remember vividly sitting in one of my first graduate classes at Kean University in the mid 90’s, and the professor handed us what I think was called, A Primer for Parents. I have searched the web for a copy and the only thing I can find is an image of a book written by Paul McKee in 1957. How I would love to get my hands on the copy we had !
At the beginning of the book, was a key or a guide to help the reader read the text. First, we had a few minutes to look at the symbols and the letter it would represent. Next, as we started reading, we had to continue to look back to the first page to remember what letter of the alphabet was represented by which symbol. Some of the symbols looked alike and you really had to pay attention to the symbols. MY HEAD HURT and my stomach churned a little!
This is what it must have been like for my then second graders who were trying to learn how to read! I can tell you now, that was my defining moment as an educator and that experience changed my thinking and teaching as an elementary teacher and reading teacher forever!
Teaching Visual Discrimination Is A Priority
Often times when young children are reversing letters or having a hard time remembering the names of letters , some teachers and parents have asked, ” Do they need glasses?”. Well I am here to tell you that when I was trying to figure out those symbols and read that story, there was nothing wrong with my eyes ! My brain was trying to remember and translate those letters and symbols and it was hard ! Every day in my classroom or when I am tutoring a struggling reader, I remember that moment and think ok let’s slow down and try again. This is why teaching visual discrimination needs to be a priority before we start to teach reading.
What is Visual Discrimination ?
As I teach younger children now, I understand more and more the importance of teaching our preschoolers all the pre reading skills that we can and give them the practice they need to become successful beginning readers. One very important skill, is visual discrimination. In order for children to learn their letters and later, letter/sound relationships, phonics and sight words, they must be taught to look for differences in shape, size , color and directionality. This will help them later see the differences in letters and words. Here are some fun and effective ways to practice visual discrimination with young learners.
Teaching Visual Discrimination With Puzzles
First, I use this simple activity using foam puzzles from Dollar Tree. I have one puzzle normal side up and give the children the pieces and they find the piece that fits in the same size and shape space. Then. I take a second puzzle and flip it so that now the pieces are facing in the opposite direction. Now the students have to look at size, shape and directionality.
Teaching Visual Discrimination With Games and Activities
Sorting
This is a favorite with my kindergarteners! You can give your students items to sort by attribute. You can give students a basket full of items, pattern blocks, counting manipulatives or our favorite, mini erasers! See how many different ways they can come up with to sort the items!
Concentration and Matching Games
These are so simple to make or you can purchase these types of games most anywhere! When I create my matching activities, I always make sure that I include cards with the same picture, but facing in a different direction. This makes the students look even closer to the pictures and teaches an important skill.
Clip Cards – Matching Letters
Bingo
Bingo games are a great way to strengthen visual discrimination. You can use bingo cards with numbers, letters or pictures. For early learners, you can show a flashcard of the item they need to find on their card.
Whatever game or activity you choose, intentional teaching is what is important. Model for your students how to look at two or more objects and find similarities or differences. Make the activities fun and they will want to practice and practice .
– Jeanne
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