At what age do children typically develop depth perception?

Children typically develop depth perception around 9 months of age. At this stage, infants have gained sufficient visual experience and coordination to begin recognizing differences in distance and the spatial relationship between objects. This ability is crucial for their development, as it enhances their ability to navigate their environment, reach for toys, and interact with people and objects more effectively.

Around this age, infants also become more mobile, often starting to crawl, which encourages them to explore and experience the world in a more three-dimensional way, supporting their depth perception skills. The development of stereopsis, or the ability to perceive depth using both eyes, usually improves significantly as their visual cortex matures and as they gain more visual input and experience.

Understanding when depth perception develops is essential for caregivers and healthcare providers to monitor children's visual development and ensure that they are meeting these important developmental milestones.