Flashcards can be made from index cards, card stock cut to the desired size or construction paper. These can be plain or colored. You can write or print text on them and let the children decorate around the text. With alphabet flashcards, print letters of the alphabet on separate cards. Add a graphic to explain the letter either on the front or on the back. For example, print a large A and add a picture of an apple. You can also have text read, "A is for (and the apple illustration)." Go through the alphabet with your child until she knows the alphabet and the connection to real words.
Create flashcards adding numbers instead of letters. On one side print a number. On the other side show a representation of that number. For example, side one shows the number five. The back of the flashcard shows five dots, five candies, five fruits or whatever graphics you wish to use. Teach the children the numbers by going through the flashcards with the number first. Turn over the flashcards to count one, two, three. Add real things to count. Show the number 5. Count the five things on the other side of the number 5. Then have the children count out five of something you supply. You may have a can of marbles for the children to pick out five, or let them choose five pieces of fruit or count five buttons on their shirts. Provide opportunities for counting. At mealtimes, children can count silverware and plates.
Create flashcards relating to usual daily activities or chores such as getting dressed, putting on shoes and brushing teeth. On one side show the activity or chore. On the other side write what the activity is in text such as "Dressing," "Brushing Teeth" and "Feeding the Dog." Get the children familiar with the flashcards until they learn the connection between pictures and words. Mix up the flashcards. Have the children pull one card and explain what it is. Have them mimic doing the actions of the picture and text.
Make flashcards of different colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, white and black. On one side add the color of the card in large text. Explain that the text is the color in words. Practice with the flashcards, holding one up at a time while asking, "What color is this?" Once the connection is made, have children go around the room, pointing to or touching colors and telling you what color they are indicating. When they are learning to write, have them not tell you the color, but write it out.