How to Tell if Your Child is Colorblind

Colorblindness is a fairly common problem that can begin in early childhood. You may be wondering how to tell if your child is colorblind. What are the symptoms of the condition? Since the symptoms may be so unclear that even adults have a hard time knowing whether or not they are colorblind, it seems a lot more challenging to diagnose children with colorblindness. However, there are a number of different signs which may indicate that your child is colorblind. Here are a few to look out for:

Risk Factors

Some children tend to be at greater risk of developing colorblindness than others due to hereditary genes. It is much more common for boys to be diagnosed as colorblind. In fact, research shows that one out of every ten boys will be affected by colorblindness. Although girls can also be colorblind, the genetic trait is more commonly passed to boys.

Difficulty with Colors

The main way to tell if your child is colorblind is to notice how easy it is for him to identify colors. Many parents are able to tell as early as kindergarten whether or not their child is colorblind. When it comes time to learn colors, your child is likely to struggle much more than other children. If your child seems to be a bit hesitant, this may be a sign that he is unable to differentiate between certain shades. Colorblind people generally have a hard time telling red from green. This relates to colors that are similar as well. For example, a colorblind child may not be able to tell purple from red, or blue from green.

Artwork and Clothing

One of the easiest ways to tell if your child is colorblind is to pay close attention to their artwork and clothing. Children who are colorblind may have a hard time picking out an outfit that matches. It is also likely that certain objects in their artwork, such as suns or ladybugs, may be given colors that are the complete opposite of what they should be. Paying attention to minor details involving color is one of the best ways to tell if your child is colorblind.

Visit the Eye Doctor

Many parents are under the assumption that all eye exams performed by schools and eye doctors consist of a colorblindness test. Color blindness tests are not standard procedures, however. While there are color blindness tests available online, it is important to keep in mind that they are not nearly as effective as a professional examination. If you suspect that your child is colorblind, the only way to find out for sure is to request a test for colorblindness from the doctor.

If your child has been diagnosed as colorblind, it’s best to avoid panicking. At the moment, there is not a known cure for colorblindness. For many people, the levels of colorblindness are also so insignificant that it does not have a major impact on their lives. Diagnosing the problem early will help prevent any confusion for your child in the future, however.


Written by Jody Morse

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Natural Sleep Aids for Children

Many parents struggle to get their children to sleep at night. Tons of sleep medications and drugs promise to be the best solution to this problem, but natural remedies can help children who are coping with insomnia.

First, get to the root of the problem. Why is your child having trouble sleeping? Ongoing nightmares, fear of the dark, loneliness, peer pressure and school stress can really disrupt your child’s sleep. Try addressing these concerns with your child first.

Next, change the bedtime routine. Turn off the TV and computer a few hours before bedtime. Dim the lights, create a relaxing environment and unwind. Wear comfortable pajamas. Read a book or tell a bedtime story. Cuddle together. Keep the environment as calm and stress-free as possible.

Take note of your child’s dietary habits. No matter what anybody tells you, caffeine in the afternoon will definitely keep your child awake at night. Don’t allow your child to drink sodas, coffee and tea 6 hours before bedtime. Ban sugary foods at night. If your child eats a big meal too close to bedtime, she might have a hard time falling asleep. Make sure dinner is at least 2 hours before bedtime so that your child’s body can digest the food properly while awake and rest later.

Finally, try playing soothing music. Some children just won’t go to sleep without being lulled by a favorite lullaby or soft, relaxing music played on low. If the child is young, try rocking him and softly singing.

If the above strategies don’t work after a few days, then try natural sleep aids. Before you implement any herbal remedies into your child’s diet, however, make sure you discuss your plans with the child’s doctor and consult with a certified herbalist to ensure you are administering the herb correctly for your child’s age and weight. This advice is strongly recommended no matter which herbal tea or capsule you provide to your child.

One way of using natural sleep remedies for children is by using aromatherapy. Scented pillows, incense, candles and scented soaps do wonders for helping children to feel more calm and liable to sleep. The scents that work best in soothing anxiety and inducing sleepiness are lavender, sage and chamomile.

Another way to use natural sleep remedies for children is with an herbal tea. The herbal teas of choice are chamomile, passion flower, and valerian. Melatonin has been promoted as a sleep remedy, yet some caution is advised. Melatonin pills have negative side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and irritability. Melatonin in milk is safer to use, so a glass of warm or cold milk can do the trick. Lactose-free, soy, almond and goat milk will also provide the same melatonin benefits. You can also flavor your milk with cinnamon and/or honey.

Use these natural and practical sleep aids if your child is unable to sleep at night. Go with the method that works best for the child and soon your child will be nodding off to dreamland.

Written by Dawn Colclasure

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