Do you have alphabet flashcards at home? How are you using them?
I think alphabet flashcards can be a useful tool to teach letters to young children in general. But how you use these cards will determine if your child will really benefit from them or not.
As a teacher who follows play-based and inquiry-based learning approach, I don’t recommend simply using flashcards repeatedly to make your little learner memorize letters. Why? Because it’s not fun! If it’s not fun, children loses interest in it.
I like to use the alphabet flashcards as a prop in another play or activity. For example, I can add the cards in the bank/store dramatic play. Children can use the cards for tickets at the bank/store for the take-a-number system. Or, I can prepare two sets of flashcards and set up a simple matching game.
The purpose of adding alphabet flashcards in a play is to help children be familiarized with letters.
Before I add alphabet flashcards in play, however, I want my students to know what those cards are and what they mean. So when they play with the cards, they can say the name of the letters or use the related meanings from them if they want. So I would say going through each letter card every once in a while is a good way to use them.
Alright then, what kinds of alphabet cards are good?
There are many different cards in the market and you can choose the one that has elements that your child like. They have to be attractive and interesting to look at for children to use them. I would also make sure that they have large and clear letters.
Okay, this might be a little different story but do you know why I made my own alphabet cards? Because I was tired to say “A is for apple, B is for ball”! Boring. And when you repeat only these basic cards, there is the possibility of children getting a wrong idea. They think that apple equals A and don’t understand that apple is just one of the examples of the letter A words.
I wanted to have the alphabet cards that were more meaningful for children and for learning, so I incorporated empowering words and affirmations into alphabet cards.
I love how they came out.💕
I think positive affirmations have power to develop a growth mindset in humans. I hope children are surrounded by positive words and positive thoughts, and be able to grow a positive mindset, and I believe that’s what they really need to prepare to get ready for school.
Get my Alphabet Affirmation Cards if you are a believer in the right mindset like me.
Get my Alphabet Affirmation Cards even though you have a different set already because you will be able to expose your child to more words and positivity.😌
I want to give one more tip if you are going to use my alphabet affirmation cards with your child. ☺️
Children engage more in the activity that is meaningful for them. You can make the learning about alphabet more meaningful for your child by adding a personal touch to the cards.
The word for letter A is “amazing” here.
Explain the meaning of “amazing” and ask your child when s/he feels like she is amazing.
This photo is me when I feel like I’m amazing after I finish all the tasks on my to-do list. 😄
Ask your child to act out the moment that s/he feels amazing and take a photo like me.
Then you can print out the photo and tape it on the other side of the letter A card.
If your child has a little difficulty of coming up with an idea, use my affirmation that I put under the letter. ♥︎
Aren’t they more interesting and fun to play with?
We can make early learning fun for children. 🤩
If you got a good idea for your child from reading my post, I hope you go ahead and make a unique set of alphabet cards of your own.
If you like my ideas and tips for using the alphabet cards and want to hear more from me in the future, join in the Everyday Funday list and my alphabet affirmation cards will be sent to you as a gift of appreciation.❤️ >>>JOIN IN HERE.
(P.S. Alphabet Affirmation Cards are printable PDF file.)
Happy learning and quality time!
Missangela👩🏻🦰🎀
🦄Children! Try this activity with Missangela.🦄