A CVI-Friendly Summer: Supporting Your Child Based on Their Phase of Visual Development

As the school year winds down, families of children with cortical visual impairment (CVI) often ask: How do we keep our child progressing when school is out? The answer lies in understanding your child’s current CVI Phase—and supporting their vision in everyday moments that feel familiar, calm, and meaningful.

At CViConnect, we base all activity design and support on the CVI Range and Phases I–III, developed by Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy (2007, 2018). Each phase requires a different approach to visual support. Below, you’ll find summer strategies organized by phase—so you can continue nurturing your child’s visual skills through play, connection, and exploration. Remember, this isn’t about doing more—it’s about noticing what already works and leaning into it.
Phase I – Building Visual Attention

In Phase I, the goal is to help your child build consistent visual attention. Children in this phase benefit most from simplified environments and clear visual targets. Providing opportunities for your child to use their vision throughout their daily routine should encourage your child to use their visual pathway. 

Summer Support Tips

• Present one familiar item with distinct color or movement against a solid black background.
• Reduce clutter and sound. Use controlled environments (car rides, darkened corners, quiet tents) to focus visual attention.
• Don’t expect interaction—allow your child time to simply look.

“We didn’t know what to look for at first. Once we learned about the need for repetition and started using the same object every day, we noticed she was starting to visually notice it—even without reaching. That was a big shift for us.” – CViConnect parent

How You Can Use CViConnect (If You Have It)

CViConnect PRO offers digital activities with single high-contrast targets and built-in gaze detection. You can monitor when your child is most visually alert and use that data to adjust future sessions. These activities are intended to use in collaboration with real items to support accurate concept development

Research Note: Phase I strategies are grounded in the need for visual latency (the extra time your child may need before they’re ready to look), controlled sensory input, and repetition (Roman-Lantzy, 2018; Lueck & Dutton, 2015).

Phase II – Encouraging Visual Recognition

In Phase II, your child is beginning to notice and explore visual features—color, shape, and size. Vision is becoming more functional, and you’re likely seeing increased visual curiosity and attention span.

Summer Support Tips

• Present familiar vs. slightly varied objects and encourage visual comparisons.
• Begin introducing simple, non-distracting backgrounds (e.g., high-contrast placemats).
• Add slight movement or lighting changes—if tolerated—to keep attention without overwhelming.
• Allow touch–then–look interactions to reinforce multisensory learning.

How You Can Use CViConnect (If You Have It)

Upload real-world images into CViConnect activities—objects from home, outings, or family events—and observe how your child responds. Progressively increase complexity within activities while staying within their comfort range.

“Using familiar routines over the summer helped him generalize what he learned at school. It wasn’t about doing more—it was about letting him use his vision on his terms.” – CViConnect parent

Research Note: Phase II is about building the child’s visual library and linking vision with developing function (Roman-Lantzy, 2018).

Phase III – Using Vision for Functional Tasks

By Phase III, your child is using vision consistently and can integrate it into real-world tasks, even in more complex environments. The goal now is generalization: using vision confidently in a range of everyday contexts.

Summer Support Tips

• Set up simple scavenger hunts using favorite objects.
• During dressing or routines, prompt your child to visually locate needed items.
• Encourage independent exploration and allow your child to visually lead the way.
• Take photos of activities and revisit them to build visual memory.
• Ask your child questions about what they expect to see and what they do see. This will create an opportunity for you to learn more about how they use their vision.

How You Can Use CViConnect (If You Have It)

Create activities that reinforce functional vision—like identifying a favorite toy among others or making visual choices. Use look data to assess engagement, fatigue, and background complexity tolerance.

Research Note: Phase III learners still benefit from strategic visual accommodations, particularly in unfamiliar or noisy environments (Lueck, Dutton, & Chokron, 2019).

Final Thoughts: Vision Doesn’t Take the Summer Off

Whether your child is learning to notice light or visually guiding movement, their brain is still growing, adapting, and responding to the world around them. You don’t need to replicate school at home—you just need to stay observant, intentional, and responsive to your child’s visual needs.

CViConnect PRO is built to grow with your child. It offers structure, flexibility, and data—all rooted in phase-specific visual support. This summer, use it when it works for your family. Progress isn’t measured by how much you do—it’s measured by how intentionally you do it.

If you’re already using CViConnect—or curious about how it works—summer can be a great time to explore its tools at your pace..

References

• Roman-Lantzy, C. (2018). Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention (2nd ed.). AFB Press.
• Roman-Lantzy, C. (2007). Cortical Visual Impairment: An Approach to Assessment and Intervention. AFB Press.
• Lueck, A. H., & Dutton, G. N. (2015). Vision and the Brain: Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment in Children. AFB Press.
• Lueck, A. H., Dutton, G. N., & Chokron, S. (2019). “Visual Impairment Due to Damage to the Brain: Guidelines for Early Intervention.” International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECSE), 11(2), 159–175.