How to use stand magnifier for looking at pictures or reading text

 Make sure the child wears their distance spectacles (if prescribed) when using
the stand magnifier

Objectives: At the end of this session student will be able to

- Navigate a page to identify text, titles, pictures and the like
- Name the device correctly
- Correctly position their stand magnifier in relation to their eyes and the picture
or text to be viewed
- Use scanning and tracking skills when using their stand magnifier
- Demonstrate correct use of their stand magnifier
- Demonstrate increasing independence and speed when using their stand
magnifier for reading text or studying pictures
- Clean and take care of their stand magnifier

 Navigating a page without using the magnifying device (see separate

handout)

 Explain what the name of the device is and why it is named a stand magnifier
 Ask the child to take it out of the box or soft container
 Ask the child to clean it with a soft cloth before use

 How to use a stand magnifier

General

- First find the place to start reading or the picture to view without using the
stand magnifier
- Hold the stand magnifier with only thumb and forefinger to make sure light can
fall on the picture or text
- Ensure light can fall on the text
- Use the best eye for looking through the stand magnifier
- A stand may beneficial if close working distance is needed

- Put the stand magnifier flat on the written paper or picture (and make sure the
lens part is at the top nearest to the eyes)

- Move the head slowly towards the stand magnifier and stop at the first moment
the text or picture is sharp

- Move the hand magnifier smoothly and at reasonable speed from left side to
right side and keep it steady and flat on the page
- At the end of line move the stand magnifier back horizontally to the beginning of
the line just read. Then move it down on new line until the end (see separate
handout for more ideas)

- Keep the same distance from eye to the device when reading or studying a
picture
- Many children may put their eye fairly close to the magnifier as they then can
see more letters (larger field of view), but ensure they are comfortable

 Practise scanning and tracking skills (see separate handout)

Common mistakes

o Lifting the stand magnifier off the page

o Tilting the stand magnifier so that it is not flat against the surface
o Adopting an uncomfortable position
o Blocking light by holding the stand magnifier with the whole hand close to the
lens or by holding the hand on the side of the window light
o Not switching on the illumination if applicable
o Not wearing distance spectacles when using the magnifier