People are using flash cards to aid their kids’ learning power. And, there are many reviews around stating their negative impact on toddlers. But should you replace them with other homeschool activities? Well! That could be just one side of the coin. Let’s have a look at all the aspects of this homeschooling tool to know whether those are good or bad.
The Reason behind Negative Reports
Play is the primary source of learning for kids. Due to this, drilling their minds with letters and words through flashcards is considered on the negative side. And, that’s where the viewpoint of considering those cards bad came from. Besides, this drilling activity also causes rote memorization that’s bad for kids.
Though the play is important for a child’s growth, cards printable for toddlers can be used as a key learning component including fun & interactions. And, those can be used to create a sense of conversation through description and explanation of concepts. This, in return, establishes deep values of learning among kids.
All Flashcards are Not Made Equal
Some cards can be better for your kid than others and vice versa. Though this varies with their type, you should keep these points in mind to find the best homeschooling tools.
- Size: If the cards are too small, they may cause the kid to lose interest in playing with them
- Colour: While too many shades can be overwhelming, going too dull will again get boring
- Interaction Ability: Figure out ways to use the cards interactively. If you can’t find many, you should skip those.
- Durability: When handling new things, infants usually take them as food or distort them. Thus, it is recommended to pick up cards durable enough to avoid such damages.
Using Flash Cards the Right Way for Preschool Activities
As stated, learning without fun isn’t considered the right approach for kids. Thus, reading words loudly to a kid while showing a card isn’t going to deliver many benefits. However, using an interactive approach to make the learning experience fun for them with some play is what children need. For example, you can pick up a card and point to a real object at home. Alternatively, you can ask the infant to point to the item shown on the card. This helps transform the process into a game and motivates them to learn and answer more.
Moreover, you can also plan a long-term learning strategy with these cards growing alongside your toddler. You can add more elements, widen the subjects covered, and use them for letter identification & formation. Similar to books in a school, flashcard downloads for kids should also evolve to maintain fun & excitement intact.
Another aspect that is essential for considering the right use of these cards is a kid’s preferred learning style.
Types of Learners
While every person has a different way of learning, your child will develop a preferred style over time. However, understanding what type of learner your child is can help you pick the right resources for him/her:
- Visual Learner: Learns better through images and prefers pictures to understand ideas than words
- Auditory Learner: Needs a speaking session to grasp new knowledge. It could be either something spoken by self-recitation or by listening to an adult.
- Read/Write Learner: This type of learner mind captures and retains knowledge in the written form, either by reading or by making notes.
- Kinesthetic Learner: The practical learner learns things through hands-on experience during practical sessions.
What is the Right Flashcard for my Toddler?
Many factors decide what card your child can best learn with.
- Age: While infants can’t read/write, cards carrying images are the best source to help them learn new things
- Milestones: As the child grows, you can measure his/her progress through the speed of learning, memory power, reading, speaking, writing, and other abilities.
- Interest: Often children are quite choosy in what they use to watch, read, or even play. And, knowing the exact area of interest can help you pick the right cards for him/her. This could also be an area of learning instead of a specific subject.
Final Words
Flashcards for toddlers wouldn’t have existed if they were that bad. However, like every other invention, using these cards in the right ways makes them a great learning tool for kids.
