There’s no more tried-and-true method of studying than the iconic flash card. Whether preparing for a vocabulary test, reinforcing the A, B, Cs, or brushing up on geography — many adults can likely recall using these at some point during their school years.
If so, we have good news — a classic doesn’t go out of style. Flash cards are still around, and they still work to support kids through the successful development of basic skills and far beyond.
4 Tips to Gamify Flash Cards as a Family
Even better news, once you stock up, you don’t have to stick to tactics like grilling kids over a pack of cards at the kitchen table. Families can make flash cards fun and edifying for everyone. Consider trying some of the following games to keep kids on their toes and make this method of practice and learning anything but old-fashioned.
Move around the room. Have kids stand across the room from you while you hold up a series of flash cards. With each right answer they get to take a step towards you. End with a hug and a high-five!
Hide and seek. Secretly hide flash cards around the room where kids can easily reach, and ask your child to find them. With every flash card your child discovers, they need to provide you with the answer or identify the number or letter.
Play I Spy. We love a game of I Spy, and if your kids feel the same — try this with some math flash cards and more. Lay the cards out in a grid on the floor and then begin. “I spy with my little eye…” and say the answer on one of the cards. Your little playmate will need to find the card that fits the answer.
Pull a flash card out of a hat. In the morning, ask your child to pull one flash card out of a hat and identify what’s on it. That flash card can provide an area of focus for that day, whether it’s a letter, number, math problem, or new word. Continue to reinforce that knowledge during dinner and bathtime.
Flash Card Packs Families Love
Get in on the games above with some of the flash cards families are loving now.
For early learners, the Scholastic Early Learners: ABC & 123 Flashcard Double Pack is a double-side set of 108 flash cards in a sturdy, take-anywhere box. Each flash card provides practice in forming each number or letter, while the other side presents a fun visual representation of that number or letter. Children can practice associating letters and numbers with real objects, helping to build their skills. Working on addition and subtraction skills? There’s a bright and interactive 108 flash card set for that too.
For less than $4, the Flash Cards: Letter Sounds introduce your child to all the 44 letter sounds in the English language. Complete with a parent guide outlining games, activities and colorful photos, you and your child will be set up for success and ready to build reading skills with vocabulary words.
Within the BOB Books: Flashcards: Beginning Phonics set, there are 40 decodable word flash cards with pictures on one side and words on the other. Easy for little hands to hold and full of big, clear words and colorful pictures, these flash cards are perfect companions for the Bob Books learn-to-read sets which reinforce phonics instruction that children might receive in school. To ensure parents are supported at home, the flash card set comes with six activity cards and one parent card with tips to help your child learn through play.
Plus, how the Bob Books Series helps children learn to read.
Ready to learn fun new animal facts? Try the Scholastic Early Learners: Extreme Animals Fast Fact Cards which are sure to impress kids with its built-in digital timer and peek-a-boo window. The 75 cards will yield hours of fun and a deep knowledge of extreme animals. Know a growing weather forecaster? Try the Scholastic Early Learners: Extreme Earth Fast Fact Cards.
If your family is working on building an awareness of emotions and feelings, try these innovative How Am I Feeling? Conversation Cards. The double-side cards can help kids ages 3-6 to interpret facial expressions and inspire conversations about what makes us feel the way we do. They’re sure to build emotional intelligence and lead to some great conversations.
Get ready to build your child’s skill with all our editors’ flash card selections below. You can find all these flash cards, books and more at The Scholastic Store.
