Teaching With Grade School FlashCards

By Ann Roberts


Although kids learn at different speeds and by different methods, elementary school success is critical to education. A child who has difficulty reading or who finds math intimidating from the very start may struggle all through school. Teachers, tutors, and parents can overcome early failure with the use of grade school flashcards. These simple, traditional learning tools take students a step at a time in establishing a great foundation for advanced learning.

Almost all of us are familiar with teaching the alphabet. Parents buy ABC books by the millions, and children love the ABC song. Flash cards are a good way to help kids learn to recognize the letters which make up the words they already know from speaking. Numbers can also be taught with individual cards, shown in order, or scrambled up as a challenge.

One of the most valuable tools is cards that teach phonics. A child who has trouble reading will really benefit from basic drills with the sounds of consonants and vowels. Once they master the sounds of letters, they will be able to sound out even unfamiliar words. The difference of a hard C or soft, or a Ch combination, will make more sense with the cards. Short and long vowel sounds, as in tap and tape, are easy to grasp. Adults can make up games to make it more interesting; never underestimate the allure of competition.

Math is another subject that can be drilled with flash cards. Think of the multiplication table: memorization is a pain but when an adult participates and cards are used, students may find it easier to engage. Two times two is four soon becomes automatic, and this helps even when 'new math' is taught. Counting by ones, twos, and so on is fun, too. Children often use these shortcuts in games outside, counting their steps or hops.

Cards that teach phonics and common words are great when trying to learn a new language. Unlike a native tongue, all the words may be unfamiliar. However, knowing the basic words is the way to start, just like we all learn to talk as toddlers. A game can be made by flashing a common foreign word and asking it to be pronounced and then used in a simple sentence. A correct answer moves the play forward or earns a small reward.

Many children are labeled as learning disabled by the fourth grade; many have given up by then. Parents who follow their children's progress and use flash cards to reinforce or re-introduce lessons that have been difficult can keep their kids from falling behind. Children can even help younger siblings in this way.

If you have never tried this method of teaching or lesson reinforcement, you might be surprised at how effective it can be. A child who is failing reading can be caught up in a few weeks. Math can become a joy rather than a mental blockage.

Online sites have the basics, as well as creative new cards to stimulate both teacher and student. All this system requires is patience and perseverance until goals are met.




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