Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site asgb.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!bmcg!asgb!margaret From: margaret@asgb.UUCP Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Re: "walking" too soon? Message-ID: <523@asgb.UUCP> Date: Fri, 10-Aug-84 11:55:09 EDT Article-I.D.: asgb.523 Posted: Fri Aug 10 11:55:09 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 14-Aug-84 06:32:57 EDT References: <2893@decwrl.UUCP>, <186@cbosgd.UUCP> Organization: Burroughs Corporation, San Diego Lines: 22 I am a living example of why a child should not be allowed to walk too soon. After crawling for a very short time, I learned to walk. All was well and good until I started school. For a couple of years, I was fortunate enough to be placed in a desk at the front of the classroom. In 3rd grade, this changed. After a few weeks, it became apparent that my school work was going down hill. After a trip to the eye doctor, I found out that I had a convergence problem. It seems that when crawling, a baby learns to slowly bring objects into focus. If they start walking too soon, the eyes will not be trained to focus properly. I now have to live with double vision for everything beyond the distance of 3 feet unless I am specifically concentrating on focusing on the object in front of me. Surgery could correct part of the problem, but would mess up my near vision. So, from personal experience, my advise is to encourage your babies to crawl for at least 2-3 months. (Note: I have tried eye exercises for about 14 years now. They help some, but cannot make up for the training lost in the early months of development. Margaret Brown Burroughs ASG Boulder ...!sdcsvax!bmcg!asgb!margaret