From the right age and setting to finding the perfect set, this is your go-to guide to using flashcards. 

You’ve seen your friends use flashcards with their kids at home, and you’ve also probably seen those colorful decks at the preschools you’re considering enrolling your child at. So, can flashcards really enrich your child’s learning experience? Read below to find out.

What’s the right age to start using flashcards?

 There is no specific, ideal time to introduce your baby to flashcards. Your baby is ready to explore from day 1.

What will my child learn from these flashcards? 

Using flashcards during playtime and introducing your little one to the concept of learning through play will:

•   Improve their cognitive development
•   Encourage them to explore and increase their awareness of the world around them
•   Improve their fine motor skills
•   Give them power over their own learning experience and an engaging tool to express themselves and think independently from a young age
•   Increase their self-confidence
•   Encourage child-parent bonding

Is there an ideal setting to get my little one to concentrate?

Make sure to choose a comfortable setting for your child that is free of distraction and not associated with another activity. Spread out the cards on a level surface that your little one can reach so they can feel free to touch the cards, focus on the colors, move the cards around and communicate with you. 

How often should I use flashcards with my child?

As with many other things with toddlers, consistency is key. Start small, according to your child’s age and attention span, and build up as you go. For example, a 6 months old baby can have in their daily routine just 5 minutes of playing with flashcards with a focus on repetition of sounds and colors. An older, one year old child can have 30 to 40 minutes of playing with flashcards with a different objective of matching similar cards to the deck they belong to (i.e: with different decks splayed out, place all the animals together to recognize the animal kingdom).

What should I look for when I’m shopping for flashcards?

First off, you’ll want to think about the target language(s) you want your baby to start speaking. Make sure the cards you choose are bendable with round edges to avoid paper cuts, and that the designs on the flashcards are vibrant, big enough to be easily recognizable as well as friendly and engaging.

Among all the learning objectives you’re trying to accomplish and the worry of providing the right opportunities and tools for your child, don’t forget to have fun! Click here to start the journey with Lanalou’s Flashcards which come in 4 different languages and trilingual, bilingual and monolingual options.