subject: Using Glen Doman's Flash Cards For Kids [print this page] Most of us were taught using flash cards for kids. It has been used in early childhood education classrooms for many years and still is today. There are different types of flashcards available, including some that can stimulate right brain learning. These cards are also available for children of different ages and levels of education.
Glen Doman is an expert in early childhood education and he has a very interesting approach to teaching math. We were all taught to use recitals of sequences of numbers, tables and more, first. When that was achieved, we moved on to simple counting. Eventually, we were weaned off the finger counting and doing it in the mind. Glen Doman says that this is an unnecessary process. The Institutes of Achieving Human Potential conducted studies that found children to be born with the ability to discern the amount of objects by sight. This ability should be developed, otherwise it will be lost.
Glen Doman's Dot Method involves using large flash cards with dots. The number of dots should increase gradually. This helps children to first become used to quantities and finally to equations using those quantities. Algebraic sequences, even inequalities and sophisticated equations can also be learned this way.
Problem solving is more easily understood using dots than numbers. Numbers are meaningless in a young child's mind, whereas dots represent quantities. There is a big difference between memorized formulas and problem solving, understanding the quantities. Eventually, normal numbers can be introduced to help them enjoy sums in the traditional way.
Learning systems always depend on the child and on the parent. If you are teaching a very young child and they seem not to understand, rest assured that your time is not wasted. Pathways are wired to your child's mind, which increases their ease of learning different things.
There are certain rules of teaching that should be observed by any parent with children. Experts agree that learning should start as young as possible. The lesson should end before your child wants to stop and you should respect the child at all times.
New materials should be introduced frequently to avoid boredom. Materials should be prepared carefully ahead of time and shown quickly. The experience should be joyous for teaching sessions. Kids learn more easily when they are not hungry, tired or irritable. Since it will require some patience, it is also important that the parent is in the right mood for it to be a successful exercise.
