Flashlight Visual Tracking
Parent uses a flashlight to create a gentle moving light on the wall during pre-nap time, observing how baby tracks the light with their eyes. The agent coaches the parent to notice visual tracking, focus, and visual attention as baby engages with this calming visual stimulation.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Baby seated comfortably on parent's lap in a dim or dark room. Have a flashlight ready. Best done during pre-nap routine when baby is calm but alert. Ensure baby is facing a blank wall or surface.
How it works
- 1~30s
First, turn off the lights and turn on your flashlight. Cast the beam onto the wall in front of you, about 12-18 inches from your child's face. Move the light slowly from left to right in a smooth arc. Watch your child's eyes closely. Does they follow the light with their gaze? Even a small eye movement toward the light counts. Tell me what you notice.
Watch for: Baby follows a moving light horizontally with their eyes.
- 2~35s
Now let's try moving the light up and down. Start at your child's eye level and slowly move it upward toward the ceiling, then back down. Vertical tracking is often trickier than horizontal. Watch to see if your child follows the upward and downward movements. Does they lift their head or just their eyes?
Watch for: Baby maintains visual focus while tracking vertical movement.
- 3~40s
For our final minute, let's use the light to help your child relax. Move the light in slow, gentle circles or figure-eights on the wall. Watch your child's face and body. Does they seem calmer? Do their eyes get heavy? Is they breathing more deeply? This visual stimulation can be very soothing before sleep.
Watch for: Baby shows signs of relaxation and calm in response to gentle visual stimulation.