Visual Scanning is needed for looking in all directions with the eyes to locate an object or to avoid obstacles when walking in a crowded classroom. A visual scanning activity is one way to build visual perception needed for locating an item on a shelf, finding a matching sock in an overstuffed drawer, and finding a keyword in a reading activity. If you are wondering “What is Visual Scanning?” Or for MORE visual scanning activities that kids (and adults) will love, try these.
This Visual Scanning Dot Marker Activity is a super easy way to work on visual scanning needed for these tasks and many (many!) more. Read more about visual scanning and find many more ways to build this essential skill here.
Easy Visual Scanning Activity
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For this activity, we made our own scanning worksheet. Low-prep activities are great to have in your therapy back pocket when you are an Occupational Therapist, and as a busy mom, I know that easy activities are bonus when it comes to setting up the kids with a task. This visual scanning game is perfect for therapists and parents of kids who need to work on visual scanning tasks and I’m happy to share a stress-free activity!
To make your own visual scanning worksheet, randomly write letters A-Z and numbers 1-26 on a piece of paper. Scatter the letters and numbers around on the page. Show your child how to use a paint dobber to dot the letter “A”, followed by the number “1”. Next, ask the child to continue through the alphabet, dotting “B” and then “2” and then “C” and “3”. The letter-number pattern requires the child to slow down and think about what is next in the sequence while visually scanning the whole page.
Visual Scanning Activities
Extend and assist with visual scanning for kids with this activity by trying these modifications:
- Prompt the child to look left to right and top to bottom, if they seem to omit sections of the page.
- If the child is having trouble with this activity, try less letters and numbers.
- Use a piece of paper to slide down the page as they scan.
- Prompt the child to scan the whole left side of the paper before looking for letters to the right.
- Make the visual scanning activity large-scale to add a gross motor component. Use posterboard and tape the page to the wall. Just be sure the child doesn’t push very hard on the paint dobber or drips of paint will fall down the posterboard.
