Perceptual reasoning is the ability to use sensory information (especially visual) to understand and interact with the world around us. Good perceptual reasoning will help children master a variety of important skills, ranging from the ability to read, write, and do math problems. Help your child improve perceptual reasoning by doing some basic exercises and creating a home environment that supports sensory learning. If your child needs extra help, consider working with an occupational therapist and special education teacher.
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Method 1 of 3: Practice Perceptual Reasoning
Step 1. Teach your child spatial vocabulary
If children master the words to describe an object they see or manipulate, they will be able to think about the object in a complex way. From an early age, teach your child words that describe shapes, sizes, textures and spatial relationships between objects, for example:
- Words for 2 and 3 dimensional shapes, such as “triangle”, “circle”, “cube”, “round”.
- Words that function to describe shapes, such as “curved”, “straight”, or “round”.
- Words that describe texture, such as “smooth”, “coarse”, “soft”, or “wavy”.
- Words that describe spatial relationships, such as “down”, “up”, “near”, “far”, “left”, and “right”.
- Comparison words, for example “bigger”, “smaller”, “shorter”, “longer”.
Step 2. Have your child play with blocks
Blocks are an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills and spatial perception. Provide various types of blocks and other toys that can be arranged. Encourage your child to play freely and make certain building shapes (such as houses, bridges, or forts).
- Get your child excited by participating in the play. You can create a story and work with your child to create the “background” for the story.
- Ask your child to combine play blocks with other toys. For example, say, “Let's build a castle for your dolls! We have to make trenches and drawbridges so the dragons can't get in."
Step 3. Play a memory game
This type of play encourages close observation and improves visual memory. There are many ways to play, but most memory games usually require that the playing cards be closed, and players try to find a similar card by turning two cards over at the same time. You can use regular playing cards, or buy picture cards specifically for memory games or matchmaking.
- Spot the difference games are also a great way to encourage children to think visually. Look for card games designed to spot the differences or apps specifically for children.
- Another good game is the “Spy” game. This game helps children learn how to identify objects based on descriptions, instead of names. He will learn to describe an object and guess what it is.
Step 4. Assemble the puzzle
Puzzles will help children recognize patterns and understand the relationships between shapes. Work with children to put together puzzles, or encourage them to complete a tangram game (a type of puzzle where we have to combine geometric shapes to create bigger shapes).
You can also try putting together a 3-dimensional puzzle or modeling, which can further enhance these skills
Step 5. Teach your child to use and create maps
Playing with maps will encourage children to think spatially. Draw a simple map of your child's room, family room, or backyard. Mark the location of something on the map-such as a toy you put somewhere in the room-and invite your child to look for it. When your child begins to use simple maps, encourage them to make their own maps.
Step 6. Play a pattern matching game
Make a building out of blocks, or draw a “blueprint” on paper, and ask your child to make a suitable building. Work with the child, and encourage him to discuss options and strategies. Building a “spatial conversation” will help your child think and understand what he or she is doing in a more structured way.
For example, you might say, “Your choice is interesting. Now, why did you use two shorter blocks over there instead of the long one?” or “Would it be more stable if we shook the bricks, like this?”
Step 7. Let your child play video games, as long as they don't overdo it
This may seem contrary to common sense, especially if you are always trying to reduce the habit of children looking at gadget screens. However, if played in moderation, video games can be beneficial for children. Puzzle games, such as Tetris, will help build perceptual reasoning and increase the speed of thought processes and reaction times. Action games have also been shown to improve spatial perception and problem solving skills.
- While video games are beneficial, they can also waste your child's time and interfere with other activities. Limit your child to playing video games to a few hours a week.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years should not be exposed to gadgets at all. There is no clear evidence to show that video games are beneficial for children younger than 3 years old.
Step 8. Use everyday moments as learning opportunities
Invite your child to actively explore and observe the surrounding environment. You can do this by encouraging him to touch and hold objects. Ask questions about the shapes, textures, and spatial relationships of the objects he encounters every day. For example, you could ask:
- “What will the sandwich look like if you cut it like this? How about like this?”
- “Wow, try to feel the bark of this tree! How do you feel?”
- “What do you think is the best way to get your toys into this box?”
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Good Learning Environment
Step 1. Make your child's room visually appealing
Young children learn by observing and exploring their surroundings. Keep your child happy with their environment by providing interesting things to see. Hang some pictures or posters in the child's room, and choose colorful furniture. Invite your child to discuss and describe the objects around him.
- Let your child add interesting things to his room.
- While it's good to have plenty of visual stimulation in the area where your child is playing and resting, don't get too much into the mess. Your child can be disturbed if there is a lot to see.
Step 2. Provide toys that stimulate the senses and motor development
Game blocks and construction toys, sorting toys, puzzles, nights, and busy toys (for example, bead maze) are great choices to help develop your child's perceptual reasoning.
Choose toys that are appropriate for your child's age range. Check the suggested age range on the toy package, or ask your teacher or pediatrician for advice
Step 3. Minimize distractions
When your child is working on a project, whether putting together a puzzle, creating art, or doing homework, help him to concentrate by keeping his surroundings free from distractions. Provide a quiet and tidy activity place for your child. Turn off the television, and if you choose to play music, choose a song that's calming, and without lyrics.
Step 4. Set music for your child
Music has an important role in the cognitive development of children. Calm, soothing music can improve concentration, while upbeat, upbeat music can keep your child moving and help develop gross motor skills. In addition, there is evidence that musical practice can improve children's perceptual reasoning and spatial reasoning skills. Put on some music for your child every day, and encourage him to dance, sing, or play.
- If you want to help your child concentrate, try playing quiet classical music without vocals, such as the mellow Chopin Nocturne or the peaceful Bach's Cello Suites.
- To encourage your child to get up and move, try rocking to the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, or "Twist and Shout" by the Beatles.
Method 3 of 3: Get Professional Help
Step 1. Have your child's perception of reasoning tested
If you are curious about your child's perceptual reasoning abilities, ask your child to take a standardized intelligence test. The WISC-IV test is a test to measure several types of reasoning and intelligence of children, including perceptual reasoning.
- Ask your child's doctor or teacher to schedule a WISC-IV test for your child.
- You can have your child's perceptual reasoning tested if he has problems with fine motor skills and spatial abilities, or is easily agitated when faced with nonverbal stimuli.
- Children who have problems with perceptual reasoning will have problems when in social situations, because they do not understand subtle facial expressions and nonverbal cues.
Step 2. Talk to your pediatrician
If you are concerned about your child's cognitive development or perceptual abilities, make an appointment with your pediatrician. Your doctor can help determine if there is an underlying problem that is giving you extra challenges, such as visual or hearing impairment. The pediatrician may be able to refer you to a specialist who can help.
Step 3. Work with special education teachers
If your child has problems with perceptual reasoning, discuss these issues with the school psychologist. If the school offers special education services, work with a special education teacher to develop an individual education plan that focuses on developing your child's perceptual reasoning skills.
Step 4. Take your child to an occupational therapist
Occupational therapists are specialists who help treat people with physical, cognitive, and sensory limitations. If your child needs extra help with perceptual reasoning, take him to an occupational therapist who specializes in children.
Your pediatrician, teacher, or school psychologist may be able to help you find an occupational therapist for your child
Tips
- Perceptual reasoning is one aspect of a person's overall intelligence. Perceptual reasoning is an important ability that will greatly contribute to a child's academic success.
- Continue to do games and activities that make children happy. Your child won't progress if you force him to do a boring activity, and you don't have to do that-you can do some perceptual reasoning exercises and have fun at the same time.
- Realize that progress in perceptual reasoning takes time and persistence. Don't expect your child's abilities to change drastically in an instant.
- Avoid getting frustrated by doing activities that are easy for your child to manage and benefit them.
