The best high contrast images for newborns
Decades of research show that time spent looking at high contrast images is important for a baby’s cognitive development. Until about the fifth month, babies use their eyes as the primary source for information about the world and how it works.
Once your baby’s pupils are working and his two eyes start to coordinate, he’ll be compelled to look at high contrast images, especially from birth to 14 weeks old.
Here’s how you can get started:
- Start with simple images about 12 inches (about the length from your hand to your elbow) away from your baby’s face. Try not to switch images until your baby looks away and loses interest and hold the images steady. You may notice your baby stares at the images for many seconds, even minutes at a time.
- When she loses interest in one, change to a new image, and eventually switch to the more complex images as her eyes grow stronger.
- You can help promote visual tracking by slowly moving an image back and forth horizontally in front of her face to help her practice following a moving object with her eyes: this skill is important later for reading, writing, and hand-eye coordination.
- Offer high contrast images in the car, during tummy time, and during alert “play” times for the first 14 weeks.
Download printable high contrast images
In this post
The Looker Play Kit
Designed to help your newborn begin to work on processing the new world around them.
Learn more
Posted in: 0 - 12 Weeks, The Play Gym, The Play Kits, Visual Development, Child Development
Keep reading
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
0 - 12 Months
The complete guide to baby development milestones
We compiled this expert guide to help you know what to expect for your baby's growth and month-by-month development.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 key elements to create a Montessori nursery
A Montessori-inspired nursery is simple and soothing. We've collected 7 of our favorite items here to help you design one that's right for your baby.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
The benefits of bringing your baby outside
Spending time outside is not only enjoyable for babies, it also supports their cognitive and motor development—and may even help them sleep better.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
What is “serve and return” and why is it so important?
"Serve and return" is a child development term used to describe back and forth interactions with your baby. Learn how to do it, and why it's so important.
0 - 12 Weeks
What are infant reflexes all about?
Your baby’s unintentional twitches, jerks, and sudden movements actually help them figure out the world. These are newborn reflexes.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
28 - 30 Months
31 - 33 Months
34 - 36 Months
Why wooden toys make the best playthings
Wooden toys are a staple of Montessori learning. They're durable, beautiful, and inspire wonder for a child's budding imagination.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Our simplest activities to do at home with your baby
Running out of new activities for your baby during quarantine? Don't worry! Here are 14 of our favorite simple play ideas for spending time at home.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 1: Why skin-to-skin time isn’t just for the hospital
Skin-to-skin time can reduce crying, improve sleep, and boost immunity. Lovevery shares tips on how to make the most of skin-to-skin time with your newborn.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 2: Yes, your teeny newborn needs tummy time. But why?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends tummy time starting in the first week. Here are some tips for newborn tummy time.
0 - 12 Weeks
8 tips for safe swaddling
Try these expert tips to swaddle your baby in a way that supports safe and healthy development.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
Streamers on the Play Gym
Babies around 1 to 3 months will start to wave their arms around when they see something they are interested in. You can put leftover party supplies to good use by taping party streamers to the legs of your Play Gym.
0 - 12 Weeks
Your Baby’s Physical Development: Newborn (0-3 Months)
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph discuss developmental milestones for your newborn with licensed occupational therapist and founder of CanDo Kiddo, Rachel Coley.
0 - 12 Weeks
5 fun newborn play ideas for tracking sounds
Everyday noises are new to your baby. Use these 5 play ideas to introduce them to natural sounds and help them develop lasting neural networks.
0 - 12 Weeks
11 best Montessori toys for baby’s first year
Montessori is about tapping into a child’s natural inclination to learn. Here are 10 of the best Montessori toys for your baby's first year.
0 - 12 Weeks
The 10 best ways to grow your newborn baby’s brain
Lovevery's experts share 10 techniques you can use to protect and grow your infant's developing brain.
0 - 12 Weeks
The best high contrast images for newborns
High-contrast images are important for your baby’s cognitive development. Learn why babies love black and white images and download high-contrast images here.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
Week 12: Why a simple light switch is better for your baby than those flashing-light toys
There is art to house tours. Learn from Esther as she introduces baby Freya to the different elements of her home environment by narrating and demonstrating.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
Week 10: 4 ideas for no-floor, less fussy tummy time
Tummy time builds the muscles and coordination needed for rolling over, crawling, reaching, and playing. Here are some ideas for taking tummy time off the floor.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 9: A super-simple way to build your baby’s leg muscles
Your baby builds leg muscles by pushing objects with their feet. Here is how to help them begin to practice kicking.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 8: 6 tips for how to talk to someone who doesn’t (yet) talk back
Talking with your baby can feel awkward, but it's so beneficial. Lovevery shares 6 tips for how to talk to someone who doesn't talk back yet.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 7: If your baby can’t get enough high-contrast images, download these
Images of varying complexity help strengthen your baby's eyesight. Here are some high-contrast images to download.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 6: What the experts want you to know about swaddling
Is swaddling necessary for babies? Lovevery provides an expert's opinion on when and how to swaddle your baby, along with safety tips.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 5: Tracking sights and sounds
Your newborn baby explores the world by tracking sights and sounds. Here are Lovevery's play ideas to support your baby's tracking skills.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 4: Don’t miss this expert mama’s essential newborn tip
An occupational therapist shares how to gently turn your baby's head from side to side to avoid flat spots and tight neck muscles.
0 - 12 Weeks
Week 3: Why black and white is so riveting to your newborn
High-contrast images build rich neural networks in your baby’s brain. Learn how their vision is developing right now.
0 - 12 Weeks
6 amazing—and surprising— traits of newborn babies
Even though our newborn babies rely on us for so much, they come into the world with a surprisingly wide variety of skills and abilities.
0 - 12 Weeks
5 things on your baby’s mind in the first year
This is not about engaging with your kids 24/7. It’s about knowing what matters most to your child’s development right now.
0 - 12 Weeks
How to use high contrast for happier tummy time
Your baby’s eyes are naturally drawn to things like dark hair against a light shirt, ceiling fans, windows and blinds, or frames on a white wall. Entertain your baby with brain-healthy high contrast images during tummy time.