How we use our cards

So how do we use our cards? I would love to have everything perfect and exactly as described by the program, but what I have realized is if you wait for everything to be perfect you spend so much time preparing that you miss out on the opportunity to actually DO the program. This is why I decided it was better to make the visual stimulation cards and prop them up than wait until I had some perfect hanging system.  It is also why I chose to use visual stimulation cards printed on normal paper and laminated rather than buying foam core board and poster-board and waiting until I had time to create a large foam checkerboard.

The cards are part of the sensory aspect of the program. Currently we are starting stage two of the sensory program. Of the different components of this program we are focusing most on the visual aspect. The auditory and tactile aspects involve stimulating a "vital response" to loud noises or sensation. As both of those responses seem very developed, we only occasionally do these exercises.

There are three parts to the visual program at this stage. Part one is comprised of putting baby in a contrasting environment. Large checkerboards are recommended, however as I said we have opted to use other black and white patterns and she finds them very amusing.

Enjoying her visual stimulation cards

Part two involves bringing baby to a dark room and having her spot a penlight. This is the part that most often gets skipped. Unfortunately, we do not have any rooms without windows, so the only dark place for these exercises is a closet, which makes it a bit of an ordeal. 

Part three involves showing her an outline card 10 times daily. For this first week we change the card daily. She loves when her brothers show her the cards.

Brother teaches the card of the day

We just take the current card of the day out of the binder and tuck it in the front and keep the binder close by. Then throughout the day we just grab it and show it to her. It is convenient because then I also have my checklists close by to document what we are doing.