Customizing flash cards is the first step in using flash cards effectively. Although store-bought flash cards work well, customizing flash cards gives a child certain advantages. The process of writing information on flash cards in itself introduces the study material. Always review new material before looking over old information.
Consider how your child learns. If your child learns better by looking at information (a visual learner), making colorful flash cards will keep her interest better than black-and-white lettering. If the child learns information better by hearing, his learning style is auditory. In this case, reading the flash cards aloud makes more sense. By accommodating the child's learning style, information has a better chance of sticking.
Allow the child to use her own words when creating flash cards for definitions (unless the subject requires exact memorization). This method also works for historical facts. Children retain information better when given the ability to express the facts using everyday language.
Drawing pictures on the flash cards makes a fun way to learn geography. Learning state capitals, for example, becomes more fun when the child creates and colors the outline of the state on one side of the card. Label the state's name above the picture. Write the capital name on the card's other side. Get creative with your child, and devise your own ways of making unique flash cards.
Playing flash-card games turns studying into fun. Flash cards make the ultimate quick-study guide. Pull out flash cards, and try these games while waiting at the doctor's office or sitting on the bus. Even five minutes makes a difference when using flash cards.
Offering a prize for a certain number of right answers gets most kids excited to learn. Make the prize smal,l like an ice cream cone or a toy from a dollar store. When the child answers 5 or 10 questions correctly, the prize is awarded.
Turn flash cards into a family game. Older siblings and parents can test brainpower by competing on math facts, state capitals and lots of other subjects. Make one person the game-show host, and allow this person to flash the cards. The first person answering the question correctly wins the round.
Smaller children love the matching game. Use a computer to create colorful one-sided flash cards. If the subject is Spanish, for instance, type the Spanish word in large, colorful letters with its definition on one side of the card. Create two copies of this set of flash cards. Lay all the cards face down, and have the child try to find matching cards. When a match is found, read the word and definition aloud.