| All children have an incredible natural ability to learn. | | | | and this is very evident in the way adults teach little |
| Before the age of five a child can easily take in an | | | | children. Generally we expect a child to sit and stare at |
| amazing amount information. Using flash cards is the | | | | his materials, to look as if he is concentrating on |
| easiest way to impart a huge amount of knowledge to | | | | them. We expect him look a bit unhappy in order to |
| a young child. If the child is younger than four it will be | | | | demonstrate that he is really learning. But children |
| easier and more effective, before three, it gets even | | | | don’t think learning is painful, grown-ups do. |
| easier, and before two the easiest and most effective | | | | When you show your cards do so as fast as you |
| of all. The use of flash cards to teach babies is | | | | can. You will become more and more good at it as |
| largely attributed to Glenn Doman who popularized this | | | | you do it more often. Keep practicing until you feel |
| method. Doman’s books are available from | | | | comfortable. The materials chosen should be sturdy |
| Amazon. And there are a lot of proof available that it | | | | and carefully designed to be large and clear so that |
| actually works to make tiny children smarter. Flash | | | | you can show them very quickly and your child will |
| cards can be used to teach a baby to read, learn | | | | see them easily |
| mathematics and gain an encyclopedic knowledge. | | | | How To Teach Reading Using Flash Cards |
| According to the Doman method; | | | | White hard paper or stiff cardboard is the most ideal |
| - The child before five can absorb information at an | | | | material to use to make baby learning flash cards, |
| amazing rate. | | | | when teaching a baby to read. Ordinary printing |
| - The more knowledge a child absorbs before the age | | | | paper may be too flimsy to allow you to switch your |
| of five, the more he retains. | | | | flash cards in a fast pace. Remember, it’s all |
| - The child before five has a large amount of energy | | | | about speed. Write the words using a broad-tipped |
| dedicated to learning. | | | | red felt pen. The letters should be about 3 to 4 |
| - The child before five has a insatiable appetite to | | | | inches or 7cm to 10 cm. You can group the cards |
| learn. | | | | according to items found in the house like Chair, Table, |
| - The child before five can learn to read and wants to | | | | Fork, Spoon. Or species of animals like mammals, for |
| learn to read. | | | | instance - Lion, Tiger, Monkey or even vehicles, like |
| - All little children are linguistic geniuses. | | | | Aeroplane, Car, Truck etc. |
| Therefore can there be, any doubt that since a child | | | | Do not be concerned if the words seem a bit tough |
| before five can learn an entire language, he can | | | | for a tiny child to learn. Just go by faith. Use one |
| therefore learn as many languages as are presented | | | | group of words for 3 days or so, and then replace 1 |
| to him? The answer is an emphatic “No!” | | | | word a day with another group. Keep your lessons |
| So At What Age Should A Parent Begin The Process | | | | short, maybe 10 words a session, each session 3 |
| Of Learning? | | | | times a day. To flash the cards, move the card from |
| One year of age or younger is the ideal time to begin | | | | the back (nearest to you) to the front (facing your |
| if you want to expend the least amount of effort in | | | | child). As you put the card in front of your baby, say |
| teaching your child using flash cards. You can | | | | the word out loud with enthusiasm. Write the word in |
| actually begin the process of teaching your baby right | | | | pencil behind the card so you don’t have to turn |
| from birth. Although at birth, the skill of recognizing | | | | them to face you to know what word you are flashing |
| movement and shapes is the starting point, it is actually | | | | to your child. As you move the card to the front to |
| a program of visual stimulation. | | | | face baby, read what you have written behind the |
| Lets stop and think for a moment. We speak to the | | | | card and say “This word says Tiger”, for |
| baby at birth, this helps the auditory pathway to | | | | instance. |
| grow. We can also teach the baby to read and | | | | How To Teach Math Using Flash Cards |
| provide the language of mathematics through the | | | | You must understand the numerals like 1, 2, 3 ….and |
| eyes, this helps the visual pathway to grow. There are | | | | so on are abstract terms for babies. To teach your |
| two vital points involved in teaching your child. Your | | | | child math, you must start with a quantifiable symbol |
| attitude and method, as well as the size and | | | | like a dot. You can buy stick-on red dots from the |
| orderliness of the teaching materials. | | | | stationery shop. Cut or purchase white index cards 11 |
| The Best Time To Teach | | | | inch by 11 inch. To teach numbers, stick 1 red circle |
| The most suitable time is when mother and baby are | | | | dot for the number one, Two dots for the number 2 |
| comfortable, both physically and emotionally. If the | | | | and so on. Write the numbers on the back of the |
| baby is uncomfortable, tired or hungry, the teaching | | | | card so that you know which dot cards you are |
| process should be delayed or cancelled. Find out | | | | flashing to your baby. In the same manner as reading, |
| what is causing the baby’s discomfort and pacify | | | | move the cards from the back (nearest to you) to the |
| him before starting. | | | | front (facing baby) and as you do, say “this is |
| If it is the mother who is in an irritable mood, it is also | | | | one”, “this is two”, etc. You can flash the |
| not a good time to teach. All mothers and babies | | | | cards in sequence in the beginning, from 1 to 10 for |
| have days when things don’t seem right and it is | | | | example, then 10 to 1. You can make as many dot |
| unwise to teach a child anything. It is better to take a | | | | cards as you can. Later on, you can progress to |
| long term approach and understand that there will be | | | | addition or subtraction problems. For instance, to |
| many days ahead when both mother and child are | | | | teach a baby 1+2=3, you need a 1-dot card, a 2-dot |
| more relaxed and happy and a lesson plan can | | | | card and a 3-dot flash cards. As you flash the cards |
| therefore go on smoothly and enjoyably. On such | | | | in mathematical sequence, you say “One plus two |
| days, the least amount of time and effort can be | | | | equals three”. |
| spent learning, on a happy note. | | | | As a teacher to your baby, you now understand the |
| The Best Duration | | | | basic steps in the Reading and Math pathway. The |
| Lessons should be enjoyable and happy. It should be | | | | pathway just described is the method to follow and it |
| approached like a game and your cheerful voice | | | | works. However, it may be worthwhile for you to |
| should reflect this. However, ensure that the length of | | | | invest in an affordable baby education software tool |
| time you play the game is very short. At first it will be | | | | that will take away the chore of making cards, for |
| played three times a day, but each session will involve | | | | reading and math. Such computer programs can |
| only a few seconds. The parent should determine | | | | even store the lesson plans, do the calculation and |
| the timing to end the learning session and stop before | | | | generate the dots on the computer screen for you. |
| your child wants to stop. | | | | You can also give your baby encyclopedic knowledge |
| How To Use The Flash Cards | | | | with the picture files that comes along with it or it can |
| In teaching reading, math or encyclopedic knowledge | | | | also flash pictures you have taken with your digital |
| using flash cards, parents have to recognize that | | | | camera. The use of technology has certainly helped |
| Children love to learn and they do it very quickly. | | | | parents bring out the genius in their children quickly and |
| Therefore you must show your material very quickly. | | | | easily. |
| We adults do almost everything too slowly for children | | | | |