Positive Looking Visual Skills Course for Children with Vision Impairment and CVI
Course Overview
The Positive Looking Visual Skills Training Course is based on the NASEN Award Winning Positive Looking Programme and provides practical, evidence-informed training in supporting visual development for children with vision impairment (VI), cerebral visual impairment (CVI), SEND and complex learning needs.
The training combines theory with highly practical examples, helping practitioners understand how visual skills develop and how to create meaningful opportunities for children to use and strengthen these skills throughout the school day.
Why Visual Skills Matter
Visual skills form the foundation for accessing learning, communication and interaction. Difficulties with visual awareness, attention, fixation or tracking can affect a child’s ability to engage with people, objects, books, technology and classroom activities.
By understanding and supporting visual development, practitioners can help children become more engaged learners, increase participation, develop confidence and improve access to educational opportunities.
For children with vision impairment, cerebral visual impairment and additional learning needs, targeted visual skill development can make a significant difference to everyday learning experiences and outcomes.
Research led by Professor Rachel Pilling and Gwyn McCormack, highlights the importance of meaningful activities, accessible learning environments and responsive support in promoting engagement, participation and successful learning outcomes for children and young people with complex needs. Read more about the research underpinning Positive Eye’s approach.
Structure and Delivery
The course provides a practical and accessible understanding of the award-winning and internationally used Positive Looking Programme.
Participants explore how visual skills can be developed within:
- Whole-class teaching
- Small group activities
- Individual interventions
- Specialist educational settings
- Home and family environments
Throughout the training, ideas and strategies are demonstrated using a wide range of engaging, low-cost and easily accessible resources.
Participants are shown how visual skills can be developed naturally through play, communication, literacy activities and everyday classroom routines.
The course also highlights practical ideas drawn from Positive Eye’s inclusive literacy programme, Marvin’s Story Time Show, demonstrating how literacy activities can be used to encourage visual engagement and visual skill development.
Supporting Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)
The Positive Looking approach provides practical strategies that can support children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).
Participants explore:
- Strategies to increase visual attention
- Approaches to reduce visual complexity
- Techniques for creating visually accessible activities
- Ways to support engagement and visual exploration
- Practical methods for observing and responding to individual visual behaviours
These approaches can be incorporated into everyday teaching and learning opportunities, helping children with CVI access activities more successfully and confidently.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for:
- Qualified Teachers of Vision Impairment (QTVIs)
- Qualified Teachers of Multi-Sensory Impairment (QTMSIs)
- Teachers
- Teaching Assistants
- SENDCOs
- Early Years Practitioners
- Therapists
- Special School Staff
- Local Authority Vision Impairment Services
- Professionals supporting children with SEND
The practical strategies shared throughout the course can be applied immediately across mainstream, specialist and inclusive educational settings.
Learning Objectives
1. Develop Practical Knowledge of Core Visual Skills
Participants will gain a practical understanding of the key visual skills that support learning and engagement.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify and describe visual awareness, attention, fixation and visual tracking.
- Recognise indicators that a child may require support in one or more visual skill areas.
- Select appropriate activities, resources and strategies to encourage visual development.
- Monitor and observe children’s responses during visual activities.
2. Integrate Visual Skill Development into Everyday Teaching Practice
Participants will learn how to embed visual skill development into classroom teaching and targeted interventions.
Participants will be able to:
- Plan activities that naturally develop visual skills.
- Adapt learning environments and learning opportunities for children with VI and CVI.
- Create inclusive learning experiences that support visual engagement.
- Implement practical strategies that benefit both individuals and whole-class groups.
3. Apply Inclusive Approaches Using Marvin’s Story Time Show
Participants will explore how inclusive literacy activities can support visual development.
Participants will be able to:
- Use Marvin’s Story Time Show to reinforce visual skills through literacy.
- Create engaging visual activities inspired by the programme.
- Adapt literacy experiences to support children with vision impairment and additional needs.
- Integrate visual skill development into everyday reading and storytelling sessions.
What the Professionals Say About Our Training
“The combination of visual skills development, inclusive practice and practical classroom strategies makes this an essential course for anyone supporting children with CVI, SEND and vision impairment.“ Teacher of VI
“Since implementing Positive Looking, our pupils show increased visual engagement, improved attention and greater confidence accessing learning activities.” Teacher of PMLD
“One of the best professional development courses I have attended. The ideas are easy to implement, require minimal resources and make a genuine difference for children with vision impairment and cerebral visual impairment“ Teacher of VI
Why Choose Positive Eye?
Positive Eye training is developed and delivered by experienced specialists with extensive knowledge of vision impairment education and curriculum access.
Our courses focus on practical, achievable strategies that can be implemented immediately, helping professionals develop the confidence and skills needed to support braille learners effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Positive Looking Visual Skills Course for?
The course is designed for teachers, teaching assistants, QTVIs, QTMSIs, SENDCOs, therapists and professionals supporting children with vision impairment, cerebral visual impairment and SEND.
What visual skills are covered?
The course focuses on visual awareness, visual attention, fixation, tracking and practical approaches to developing these skills through everyday activities.
Is the training suitable for children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)?
Yes. The strategies and approaches explored throughout the course are highly relevant for children with CVI and can be adapted to meet individual needs.
Can the training be tailored to our setting?
Yes. All Positive Eye bespoke training can be adapted to meet the needs of mainstream schools, special schools, early years settings, local authority services and multi-disciplinary teams.
Do participants receive practical resources and ideas?
Yes. The course is packed with practical, low-cost resource ideas, activities and strategies that can be implemented immediately within educational settings.
Related Courses
- Accessible Literacy for Children with VI and SEND
- Accessible Early Numeracy for Children with VI and SEND
- Introduction to Supporting Children with Vision Impairment
- Social Skills for Children with VI and SEND
- Supporting Children with Deteriorating Vision and Sudden Sight Loss Course
To Discuss Your Training Requirements
Please email gwyn@positiveeye.co.uk to discuss your specific training requirements. The course can be tailored to meet the needs of your organisation, team or educational setting.
