Last year, one of my kids was really struggling to memorize math facts. I couldn't understand why because we went over them with flashcards frequently and reinforced with activities.
This summer, I was doing some research and discovered this child is a right-brained learner and needs to approach math differently than their left-brained siblings. I learned everything I could about right-brained learning and techniques, and found that the right-brained learner needs a different kind of flashcard for math; one that would appeal to their artistic side and provide visual cues to stimulate their memory. This is why it is crucial to have the answer on them, and in a different color. One website suggests taking it one step further and making up (or allowing your child to make up) a story about each flashcard.
For example, 1+4=5: "Number 1 Bob the Bun was on his way to the castle to visit Sleeping Beauty. When he arrived, Number 4 Flora and Merriweather were arguing over what color to make the princess's dress. They shot magic sparks back and forth with their wands, and Number 1 Bob the Bun walked right in the middle of it! Unfortunately, Number 4 Flora had thrown some magic sparks at the same instant, and Number 1 Bob the Bun broke into 5 pieces. 1+4=5."
I was ecstatic to have found an answer, but bummed to learn that the recommended flashcards were $30 a set. Needless to say, I was reluctant to spend $60 on flashcards, so I created my own. I have uploaded them for anyone who wants to use them.
The characters are supposed to look or sound similar to the number they represent, so if you use these, be sure to introduce the characters to your child by name. The addition and multiplication characters are different for each number to avoid confusion. They are as follows:
1. Bob the Bun
2. Stu the Shoe
3. Timmy the Tree
4. Don the Door
5. Henry the Hive
6. Pixie Sticks
7. Beven the Seven
8. Nate the Eight
9. Pete the Pine
10. Peggy the Pen
1. Sam the Sun
2. Blue (the Blob)
3. Lee the Bee
4. Flora
5. Clive
6. Betty Bricks
7. Sven
8. Gil the Gate
9. Ina Porcupine
10. Ben and Glen
11. Ele and Venn
12. T. and Wilve
Click on the links above to download the flashcards. I hope these will be helpful to someone. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
