Why flashcards? That is a question that many parents ask themselves when they are trying to teach their children numbers. You may think that flashcards sound too boring, but they have been successfully used for centuries as a way of teaching and practicing language, math, spelling, and other subjects. In this blog post we will be discussing five fun activities that will engage your child’s mind and allow them not only to practice numbers but also simple math operations. As a special bonus, we have made FREE printable number flashcards for you to download and have fun teaching your children.
1. Line Them Up!
Have your child line the picture/word cards in a line on a table or a floor from 1 to 10. Shuffle the number cards and place them in a stack. Have your child pick one card from the stack at a time and place it below the right picture/word card.
Variation: Have your child line up the number cards and then place picture/word card below.
2. Find Me!
Scatter the number cards face up on the floor. Mark a startup line. Name a number and have your child run, pick the right card and bring it to you. When all the numbers are picked, the game is over.
3. Match up Game
Place the flashcards face down on a table or a floor. Take turns flipping two cards over at the same time. If they match, your child gets to keep the pair and take another turn. If not, put the cards back in their original position face down. Play until all the cards are matched.
Suggestion: Paste the colored construction or card stock paper on the back side of the printable flashcards. This will allow you to play “Match Up” and the printed numbers will not show through (see the picture below).
4. Simon Says…
Scatter the number cards on the floor a step away from each other. Began by saying, “Simon says, Jump on #2 with your right foot.” Or, “Simon says, touch #7 with your right hand.”
Variation: Have your child keep their foot on the previous number while reaching for the next. For example, “Simon says, Jump on #2 with your right foot.” Your child will balance on one foot when you say, “Simon says, touch #7 with your right hand.” They will still keep their foot on #2 but their hand will now be on #7. Then you can have them put their foot on #… and get them tangled.
5. How Many Times Can You Make…?
Place a plus and equal signs on the table or a floor. Choose a number to be placed after the equal sign. Have your child select two numbers that will equal your chosen number. See how many variations they can find. Repeat the same with a minus sign.
Do you have other ideas or tips for teaching children with flashcards? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!
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