You may come across this term many times and wonder what it is. Here we explain the technical term, with the best example. Let’s start by asking: –
What are visual discrimination skills?
Visual discrimination is the ability to recognize similarities and differences between shapes, sizes, colors, objects, and patterns.
If you look around, everything is unique, But what makes them unique? It is the tiny differences that make them look unique.
For example, a deck of cards has 52 cards, and each of them is unique. Yet they have similar numbers but the signs are different, but two of them have the same colors. The skill that makes us identify each card differently is called visual discrimination skill.
Visual discrimination skills in kids
As adults, we didn’t encounter problems recognizing similarities and differences. However, for young ones, it’s tricky, and they have to develop this skill. Visual discrimination skills make children distinguish letters and numbers. So it is evident that visual discrimination skills are the most important skill needed for children.
Importance of Visual discrimination skills
The number one answer for it is that Visual discrimination is an essential factor in learning to read and write.
When children have strong visual discrimination skills, they can text. Children need to distinguish between the letter d having a circle with a tall bar. The letter a has a ring with a short bar. They are visually very similar letters, but the length of the bar makes them different.
The same can be seen, in the case of some sight words,
- where / were
- very / every /ever
- want/went
- was / saw
- the / then / they
- though / thought / through
These words are visually very similar. Yet their meaning and usage are entirely different.
Why is Visual discrimination important in maths?
The basic unit of maths is numbers. But is it easy to teach numbers? Kids who have not practiced visual discrimination have a hard time distinguishing between similar-looking numbers. We usually found kids struggling with these numbers
- 1/7
- 2/ 5
- 3/ 8
- 6/ 9
These single-digit numbers will make confusion in the early stages of learning numbers. Another example is 10/ 100/ 1000. Here the only difference is the increased number of zeros, but any change in zeros makes a huge difference.
Teaching visual discrimination skills in Kindergarten
Now you know the importance of developing visual discrimination skills, but where to start? It’s a long process involving parents and teachers, especially kindergarten teachers.
The first lessons of reading and writing are given, in kindergarten. To teach, it’s necessary to develop strong visual discrimination skills. That’s why the kindergarten curriculum is filled with games and plays. From games
and interactions, students develop visual discrimination skills. And by practice, they develop the ability to recognize the differences and similarities between shapes, colors, sizes, and patterns.
Visual discrimination skills are the most essential skill needed for reading and writing. Many of us didn’t know exactly about these basic things and how to develop these skills. For proper child development and learning, not only children but also parents have to learn many things. Parents should be more involved with the constant learning process of early childhood education.
