Dear Parent, Thank you for your question! There are many ways you can use the flash cards. For instance you can quiz them, they can quiz themselves, or they can test each other. It depends on how you would like to teach that day. To begin, you should go through all of the cards, and find the facts that they do not know. This helps you find which ones they need to practice and which ones you can set aside because they know them. If they hesitate more than 2 seconds on each math fact, they need to practice that card until it becomes automatic. It is important that they see the pile of cards that they have learned, as encouragement. I would also occasionally review old math facts to keep those fresh in their mind, as well. When they are memorizing their facts with the cards, they need to say the entire problem out loud, such as "Ten times five is fifty." This way, not only do they see the problem, but they are also saying it as well. With the facts that they do not know, you will want to say the problem with them, providing the answers. Gradually you can stop doing that, as they gain better knowledge of their facts. Your children can also quiz each other with the cards, as well as on their own. I would recommend that you use the cards with them as much as possible in the beginning, so that they learn how to teach themselves and each other. It is also important that you practice these math facts at least twice a day. You don't necessarily need to use flash cards. Another fun and easy way to learn math facts is to buy math facts songs, specifically designed for children. If these tapes/CDs are played during meals and while driving in the car, the kids tend to learn the facts quickly and painlessly. Depending on the math book, sometimes math facts are not introduced often enough for the student, and that extra activities such as flash cards are needed. I actually recommend that all students obtain flash cards when they are learning math, whether they are doing well or not. God bless you and your family! Laura Corrigan
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