Teaching Your Child That Glasses Are Cool
May 22, 2020
A child’s first pair of glasses can be a major event for both the child and parents. 
1. Give Encouragement
Explain the benefits of glasses in an encouraging manner that makes the child want to wear the glasses. They will be able to see better when playing their favorite activity. Seeing in the classroom will be easier, help increase learning, and possibly improve grades too! Some children can develop amblyopia if vision is not corrected with glasses at a young age. Amblyopia is blurred vision that is uncorrectable to 20/20 even with glasses. If not treated during childhood, vision usually cannot be improved in adulthood. Your child might not understand now, but they will thank you later.
2. Allow Your Child to Pick Their Own Frames
If a child likes their glasses, they will be more likely to wear them. Give guidance and suggestions, but don’t be surprised if your kid likes a style or color you didn’t expect. With so many options, there is a perfect frame for everyone.
3. Make Sure the Glasses Fit
In continuation of letting your child choose their own frames, make sure they pick a pair that fits properly. Our opticians will help guide this process. A small-fitting pair of glasses could make the child feel like they are wearing “little kid” or “baby” glasses. Plus, kids will grow out of the glasses in a short amount of time if they are already too small. A pair of glasses that are too big will slip down the nose and fall off when playing. Having to push up the glasses continuously is distracting to the child during school and may draw unnecessary attention to an already sensitive glasses-wearing child. You are welcome to visit our office for frame adjustments whenever needed.
4. Find Role Models
If you or other family members wore glasses at a young age, show your kid some pictures! Even if you don’t wear glasses yourself, you can still be a role model by communicating your enthusiasm and excitement over their glasses. Point out athletes and celebrities who wear glasses. Let your son or daughter know that glasses are more common than they realize. There are many picture books, such as Douglas, You Need Glasses and Arlo Needs Glasses, specifically dedicated to this topic. The character needs glasses and is worried about wearing them, but soon realizes they help him see, and he loves the way they look on him.
5. Set Achievable Goals
Some children will push back when getting glasses for the first time. During the first week of having the glasses, forcing the child to wear them is not always the best option. When achievable goals are set and accomplished, it helps to ease into the transition of full-time wear. If there is initial resistance, have the child wear the glasses during an activity that is enjoyable, so there is positive reinforcement. Within a week or two of receiving the glasses, we want to make wearing them a habit and part of the child’s daily routine.
Be SPECtacular in your specs!
