How to use flashcards at home: a step-by-step guide for parents

Before you start

• Pick a calm few minutes when your child is interested. Check that your child wants to play with the cards before you begin.
• Have a reward ready: praise, a high five, a favorite snack or toy. Reward often at first.
• Clear the table, so only the cards you are using are in view.
• Start with things your child sees and likes every day: a ball, a cup, a dog, a favorite food.

Step 1: Match

Lay out two or three cards. Hand your child a card that is the same as one on the table and say "Match" or "Put with same." Start with two pictures that are exactly the same. Later, match two different pictures of the same thing, like two different dogs. Keep no more than three cards out at first.

Step 2: Point to it

Lay out two or three cards and say "Give me the dog" or "Touch the dog." Your child points to it, touches it or hands you the card. They don't need to say anything yet. Start with one or two words, ask for them in a different order each time, and add more words as your child gets them right.

Step 3: Say it after you

Hold up a card and say "Say ball." Start with short words your child already hears every day, like "ball," "cup" or "dog." When your child copies those easily, try longer words.

Step 4: Name it

Point to a card and ask "What is it?" Your child says the word, or signs it. Any way your child tells you counts. If speaking is hard, don't wait for a perfect word: reward the try. Pushing for perfect words can make learning frustrating.

Step 5: Take each word further

When your child knows a word, ask more about it:

• Sort: "Give me all the animals."
• Describe: "Show me the one with the curly tail."
• What it's for: "Touch the one you eat with."
• Tell me more: "Tell me about the dog."

Then find the real thing together: point to a real cup at breakfast or a real dog in the park, and ask "What is it?"

Tips that keep it working

• Short and often. A few minutes, several times a day, works better than one long session.
• One picture first, then more. Use the same picture until your child knows it, then try other pictures of the same thing, so they learn the word, not just one picture.
• Mix it up. Once your child knows a few words, mix matching, pointing and naming in the same game. It keeps the game fun and shows they really know the word.
• Stop while it's still fun.

If it isn't working yet

• Your child walks away? Make it shorter, use a reward they want more, or use cards of things they love.
• Lots of wrong answers? Put fewer cards out, or go back a step.
• Your child isn't talking yet? Keep going with matching and pointing; that is real learning. Talk with your child's doctor, speech therapist or behavior analyst about talking and other ways to communicate.

Make your own free, or use a ready-made set

• Make your own free: take photos of your child's own things, like their cup, shoes and favorite toy, and print two copies of each so you can play the matching game.
• Ready-made flashcard sets: picture cards with the words to say printed on the cards, for farm animals, pets, common animals, jungle animals, colors, shapes, letters and numbers. US$9.99 each, in English. Each is a download (a PDF file) that you print at home; no printed cards are sent. See the flashcard sets
• The Object Labels set: picture cards for 18 everyday groups, from food, clothing and body parts to toys and vehicles, with a teaching booklet that covers matching, pointing, saying and naming. US$39.99, in English. It is a download (19 PDF files) that you print at home; no printed cards are sent. See the Object Labels set
• Try a matching game in a folder: see how to use file folder activities at home.
• Use it with a token board: see how to use a token board at home.

Share this with another parent

If you know a parent who wants to help their child learn first words, send them this page.