Boost Your Baby's Brain with High Contrast Images

Choose from an interactive iPhone app or screen-free flashcards you can print at home—both designed to support your baby’s early visual development and growth.

Tablet and smartphone displaying the Infant Zoo app for baby visual stimulation with red background and high-contrast animal illustrations.

See and Hear the High-Contrast Animals of the Infant Zoo in our Free App

Use the Infant Zoo app and its high contrast images for baby to help calm and soothe your baby as well as increase concentration skills, enhance natural curiosity, and stimulate the creation of brain cell connections.
Download Free iOS App
Printable black and white baby flashcards with high-contrast images emerging from a home printer on a wooden table.

Check out our High-Contrast Printable Flashcards for Newborns and Babies

These black and white Infant Zoo flashcards are perfect for when you‘re on the go with your little one or even when you’re at home. Easily print these at home or take them to a professional printer for highest quality results.

View Our Printable Flaschards

Decades of research has shown that time spent looking at black and white (high-contrast) images benefits a baby’s cognitive development.

Why High-Contrast Images Matter for Baby’s Brain Development:

  • A baby’s color vision isn’t fully developed until around 5 months old. Initially, black, white, and gray tones are the only thing they can really see initially. They’ll begin to start seeing red around 5 months.
  • A baby’s retina registers the strongest when looking at high contrast images.
  • High contrast images with bold black and white shapes stimulate the optic nerves. This trains a newborn’s vision and teaches the eye muscles and brain to coordinate and function properly.
  • Showing your baby simple, high contrast images will help calm and soothe your baby as well as increase their concentration skills, enhance their natural curiosity, and stimulate the creation of brain cell connections.

Learn more about how high-contrast images support baby visual development here.

When Should You Start Using High-Contrast Images?

Newborns are born with blurry vision and limited color perception — but they’re primed to respond to bold shapes and contrast. That’s why high-contrast images are ideal from day one. Learn more about when a newborn can see and when to introduce color here.

  • 0–3 Weeks: Start with simple black and white images or flashcards placed 8–12 inches from your baby’s face. Hold them still so your baby can begin to focus and track.

  • 1–2 Months: Introduce gentle animation or slow-moving shapes. This is a great time to try visual stimulation apps during tummy time or quiet play.

  • 3–5 Months: Your baby may begin to notice red and other bold colors. Add pops of red to your flashcards or switch to more detailed visuals.

  • 6 Months+: At this age, your baby’s vision is much more like yours. They can see full color, recognize people and objects, and spot small things across the room. Full-color flashcards and apps are now more engaging. 

👶 Pro Tip: Use high-contrast images during tummy time, diaper changes, or quiet wake windows to naturally support focus and calm.

high-contrast-baby-app-infant-zoo

Free Infant Stimulation for Baby on your iPhone or iPad

Download on the App Store Button
printing-baby-flashcards-in-black-and-white-high-contrast

Printable Baby Flash Cards: The Infant Zoo Collection

Printables

✅ Which Visuals Are Best by Age?

If you’re wondering whether to use high contrast vs. color visuals for babies, the answer is: it depends on their stage. Here’s a cheat sheet to help:

AgeVisual TypeProduct to Try
0–3MBold black & white shapes and facesB&W Card Set, Slideshow, App
3–6MAdd red and yellow accentsComing Soon!
6–36MFull-color animals, names, and shapesComing Soon!
0–36MMix + match all 3 in one bundleComing Soon!

I created the Infant Zoo App for other moms and dads.

Infant Zoo was created by a mom for a baby with an obsession for zoo animals (especially ones that roar) and peek-a-boo games. Well, that baby has just turned 13 and has since moved on to skateboarding, Minecraft, and chess, but she’s still making apps. You can learn more about her here.

Made by a Mom, Backed by Baby Brain Science

Made for this little guy. Now for yours.

 

Infant Zoo App for iPhone and iPad – Made by a Mom

Black and White Shapes and Faces for Visual

Download on the App Store Button
High Contrast Images for Baby​

What Parents are Saying about Infant Zoo.

Reviews From Happy Parents on the App Store

High-contrast black and white visual cards displayed in front of a baby to support early visual development.
May 1, 2025

How High-Contrast Images Support Baby Visual Development

Almost a decade before I became a mom, I was a doting aunt, completely enthralled with my older sister’s first child. He was the first baby I’d even been in close contact with, and maybe even the first baby I’d ever held! I visited every chance I could and was fascinated by everything he did.

High-contrast images of abstract shapes in black, red, and white designed to stimulate infant vision
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How I Used High-Contrast Images in Our Daily Routine​

Discover how I gently worked high-contrast images into our baby’s daily routine—from tummy time to diaper changes—and why these simple visuals support early brain and vision development.

Three high-contrast bird illustrations in black and white, red, and color—used to support baby vision development.
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Baby Vision Development: When Can a Newborn See, and When to Introduce Color​

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A variety of bold black-and-white abstract shapes, including circles, flowers, spirals, and leaf forms—designed for baby visual development.
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Are High-Contrast Flashcards Good for Babies? What Parents (and Science) Really Say

Discover how high-contrast flashcards can support your baby’s visual development, calm fussiness, and create meaningful moments from day one.

Baby lying on tummy on a soft play mat during tummy time, surrounded by black-and-white toys and a plush animal demonstrating the benefits of tummy time.
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