# Torch games

In a dimly lit room, you move a torch beam across the wall and they follow the light with their eyes.

To do with your baby between 8 and 12 months. It works on: gross motor skills, visual focus, object tracking and visual discrimination. You'll need: torch and toys.

## What do I need?

- Torch
- Toys

## How do I do it?

1. **Dim the lights.** Dim the lights in the room. Sit your baby on your lap or on the floor, facing a bare wall.
2. **Move the beam.** Turn on the torch and shine it on the wall. Move it slowly, in circles or from side to side.
3. **Play with the light.** Switch it off and on in a steady rhythm, saying “Light!” and “Dark!” You can also shine it on nearby toys, one at a time, so they look for each one.
4. **Let them chase it.** Watch how their eyes follow the light. If they reach out to catch it, bring the beam closer until they can touch it.
5. **Wind down gently.** When they look away or start to fuss, turn the room lights back on and leave it for today.

### Another way to play

If they're already crawling, move the beam slowly across the floor, just ahead of them, and let them go after the light.

### Take care

Always point the torch at the wall, the floor or the toys, never at their face, and put it away when you're done.

## What are they learning?

To follow the spot of light, they have to keep their eyes on it and move them along at the same pace. When the light switches on and off, or lands on a toy, they practise focusing on what stands out. When they try to catch the beam, they guide their hand with their eyes.

- **Gross motor skills**: Twists, stretches or crawls to go after the light
- **Visual focus**: Keeps their eyes on the spot of light for as long as the game lasts
- **Object tracking**: Follows the beam with their eyes as it moves across the wall
- **Visual discrimination**: Tells the lit-up toy apart from the ones left in the dark

## What the research says

- Adolph KE, Franchak JM. The development of motor behavior. Wiley interdisciplinary reviews Cognitive science. 2017;8(1-2). doi:10.1002/wcs.1430 (https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1430)
- Gerber RJ, Wilks T, Erdie-Lalena C. Developmental milestones: motor development. Pediatrics in Review. 2010;31(7):267-277. doi:10.1542/pir.31-7-267 (https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.31-7-267)
- Adolph KE, Berger SE, Leo AJ. Developmental continuity? Crawling, cruising, and walking. Developmental Science. 2011;14(2):306-318. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2010.00981.x (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7687.2010.00981.x)
- Colombo J. The development of visual attention in infancy. Annual Review of Psychology. 2001;52:337-367. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.337 (https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.337)
- Courage ML, Reynolds GD, Richards JE. Infants' attention to patterned stimuli: developmental change from 3 to 12 months of age. Child Development. 2006;77(3):680-695. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00897.x (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00897.x)
- von Hofsten C, Rosander K. Development of smooth pursuit tracking in young infants. Vision Research. 1997;37(13):1799-1810. doi:10.1016/S0042-6989(96)00332-X (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0042-6989(96)00332-X)
- Rosander K. Visual tracking and its relationship to cortical development. Progress in Brain Research. 2007;164:105-122. doi:10.1016/S0079-6123(07)64006-0 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6123(07)64006-0)
- Vassella F, Giambonini S, Heits B, Kaufmann R, Kehrli P, Wälti U. Development of visual discrimination (pattern preference) in normal infants. Helvetica paediatrica acta. 1977;32(4-5):319-329.
- Farzin F, Rivera SM, Whitney D. Spatial resolution of conscious visual perception in infants. Psychological science. 2010;21(10):1502-1509. doi:10.1177/0956797610382787 (https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610382787)

Reviewed by Javier Atance Ibar, PhD in Education.

https://papakoala.com/en-gb/activities/torch-games/