How to Make Math Flash Cards for Your Child

One of the easiest ways to help you child learn mathematics is to make it fun. A great way to do this is to make a set of math flash cards. You don't need any fancy craft supplies to put these together, and because they're small and portable, you can take them anywhere. Here are some tips on making math flash cards for your child.

Things You'll Need

• Unlined index cards OR
• Sturdy card stock
• Permanent markers
• Crayons or colored pens (optional)
• Laminating machine (optional)

Instructions

How to Make Math Flash Cards for Your Child

1. First, invite your child to help you. This will give them a chance to feel like they're part of the process, which makes it less like homework! If you have a younger child who may not have good control over their handwriting yet, don't worry. They can color in the cards after you write numbers on them.

2. To make the flash cards, you'll need a set of plain index cards, or heavy card stock that you've cut into equally-sized pieces. Use a permanent marker to write the numbers on the card. If your child is coloring or decorating the cards, be sure to have crayons or colored markers on hand.

3. Begin by deciding what sort of math flash cards you want to make. For a preschooler or kindergartener, it may be easier to do single-digit cards. On one side, write the number and on the opposite side, draw the corresponding number of objects. As an example, for number 2, draw two fish or apples or dots on one side, and a big 2 on the opposite side.

4. For children who are learning addition, create a set of cards that offer basic addition problems. Create cards that say 1 + 1, 1+ 2, 1 + 3, and so forth. On the opposite sides, write the sums: 2, 3, 4. You can do the same thing with subtraction problems. Create a set of times-table cards for children in third or fourth grade who are learning multiplication. The best way to do it is begin with 1 x 1, and work all the way up to 12 x 12.

5. Once you've finished your cards, you can either leave them as they are or laminate them for extra durability. Keep them packaged together, either with a rubber band or in a bag, and make sure they're handy any time your child wants to practice his or her math skills. You may even want to offer rewards if your child is able to go through his math flash cards and get a certain number of answers correct. After all, if you make it a fun game, learning stops being a chore!

Tips & Warnings

• Use your computer's clip art program to print out pictures that your child can paste onto the cards.

• If your child doesn't get all the answers right all the time, don't panic. Learning is a process, and practice will help them get better at math.