Flash Cards

After quite a few messages from readers about the flash cards that we use (they have been pictured in past posts like HERE) I thought I would try and cover all bases with a details post on the flashcards that I have made up for our children, mostly Stella, using free printables.

Stella has just completed Kindergarten, which in Western Australia , is a 4-5 year old class, 2.5 - 3 full days a week ( Stella went 3 days ,and that was more than enough!!). Next year she will go to Pre Primary, which is 5 days a week (booooo) , then the following year go into Year 1 (eeek!!) . Our Kindy and Pre Primary is on school premises and they use the school library etc.

Since the beginning of the year when Stella started to learn to read and write at school, she has had such an eagerness to learn. Its amazing and I really wanted to harness it. Definitely not push, or force her to do anything she didn't want to, but when she asked for a pencil and paper and "Mummy ,how do I write ....." I wanted to have tools on hand to help out the situation.

So that is where Flash Cards help. There are so many out there in the cyber world, mostly free printable and all it takes is a bit of printing and laminating (if you so wish.)

I am also very lucky to have some gorgeous and very clever friends and fellow Mums , who share my passion for nurturing our children and wanting to help them in the same way. These ladies share their links and finds , have awesome ideas and are a constant source of inspiration for me. Its so refreshing and I feel very blessed.

Right, now down to the important details. Here are the flash cards and tools we are currently using;

Firstly, one of the said gorgeous friends discovered this cool site where you can copy and past different letters and create your own worksheets or flashcards. So I set about to making Stella a set that I thought she may use frequently. We store them in a re purposed plastic zip up case, and they are easily accessible,  

The cards I made for Stella are Months of the Year, days of the week and family members names.
You just copy the letter, paste it into a word document and create the words you wish.

And then I added in a few commonly used words, especially for this time of year, like 'To' and 'From' etc.

I love how the letters have arrows to indicate where to start writing and that you are able to create whatever words you want/need. You can find this program HERE

These next cards are more for Max and Lacey and of course Angus in the very near future when he is learning his animals and the sounds they make etc. I like how simple the pictures are and they are great for picture/animal to word recognition. Plus the compact size is great for travel and storage , and I just backed each card with some nice card stock before laminating.

You can find the Animal flash cards HERE

These gorgeous Ladybug counting cards are cute as and are available in different styles from HERE

Kerina from Living on A Latte has also made a gorgeous Counting book, available HERE. Its on my "to Print" list actually!

These Alphabet flash cards were fantastic when Stella was writing out her Christmas cards to her school friends. Especially with tricky letters like M and N.

You can find them HERE

I also backed these with pretty card stock, makes them a little more interesting.

And we have started on Sight words at home as well. I found this printable HERE but there are hundreds on the net, just google Sight words and you will find out. I love that when cards are laminated, punched and put on a ring , that you can take them off and on as you please. We are about to take a few each week, place them on the fridge , toilet door etc , until Stella is familiar with them , then move on to new ones.

Some basic shape flashcards, are great when kids are learning how to draw. For instance, at the moment Stella is progressing from just a circle with legs and a head etc for a person , to wanting to draw clothing. These shapes make it easier for her, like the triangle for a dress, the rectangle for a shirt etc.
Available from HERE

As an addition to the Flash cards, I also picked up a set of these cards whilst in the big smoke and at a Big W.  They are fantastic at practising writing, and also come as a number set, complete with a dry erase marker too!!

All of the cards and tools are kept in a small basket on a bookcase in our living area. Accessible and convenient is the key. In the new year, when thing settle down a bit , I am going to set up a fabulous Writing Workshop like Bianca from a little delightful did HERE. Love this idea!!

Missing from this post is also another Bianca idea (the clever lady is full of them!) and that is her Colour Cards. To be honest, ours have been used and used and are a little worse for wear and need to be replaced, but you can find them HERE.

We have been using this Alphabet Poster as a name reference etc, and I love the pictures , too cute. You can find it HERE

This is a simple printing practice sheet that I got from Stella's teacher and laminated. She can use a whiteboard marker on it and we can wipe off and do it again. I am sure if you asked your childs teacher for something similar they would oblige.

We have a little collection of work mats that Stella often uses and works from. Any resource is a good one in my opinion.

And finally, these Dry Erase books by Crayola (similar to the cards) are nice and simple and of course, reusable. There are different types you can get and I found this in Target , but I am sure any good department store would stock them .

Maybe something to add to the Stocking for Christmas?

Hmm I think that is it for now, as I said, there are so many wonderful and FREE resources available, its just a matter of finding the one to suit you and your child and the activities you wish to do with them.
I hope this has helped you a bit, and that your printer and laminater isn't going to hate me too much !!

Enjoy .

Clean Craft?

Is there such a thing?
Well we proved that there was today at our house.
As a continuation of colour Yellow week, we did some more craft. It seriously was so easy, even the craft misfortunates would be able to do it, easy peasy!
First, I found the big roll of clear contact that I had bought on clearance at Spotlight, I knew that I would put it to good use. ( I try and pick up craft items cheap if I can , that way you aren't reluctant to use them)

I cut a square piece out and removed the backing and placed it sticky side up. Stella then started putting all the items from the container , on the contact. We had wool, beads, paper cut outs, flowers, feathers,

 but you can use anything you like really, as long its in the colour range!

This is a great craft session to do if you don't like mess or you child is that bit young for glues.

Such concentration!!

Our audience. Just to show that having a baby , shouldn't deter you from crafting with your child, they were happy to watch. Its all in the timing!

So proud of her finished collage! I simply cut out another square to match, and placed it on the back. You can use it for a window card, placemat, or just a leadlight for the window.

As we have done here;

Our Yellow table is getting more full by the day

I have a few projects of my own on the go at the moment with some sewing for the next Baby and Kids Market, coming up mid November, so I will share with you soon. I have just made some gorgeous kids cooking aprons, perfect for the little helper and they will be at the market too!

I hope I am not boring everyone with all this kids craft but its apart of my day to day life, and thats what my blog is about. Its so fantastic to hear that I have stirred a few people up and encouraged them to start getting active at home with their kids. I have been sharing Ideas with a few friends, and its just so exciting! I do think too, that it doesn't matter how busy our lives get, we need to make time for our children and they everyone with reap the rewards  when they start school. We have a rule in our house, the TV is turned off between 10-3 , as when I was heavily pregnant with the twins, I didn't have the energy to do much, therefore the Tv was on all the time. Its amazing now that its not, how Stellas Imagination is running wild, her role playing is so vivid and our house has the most gorgeous quietness, besides some background music (or Playschool Music).

Hope everyone has a good evening, hmm what to do now that I am up to date with One Tree Hill and have to wait to Wednesday to view the next episode, sad case, but true.