Dear Cathie,
I have been considering using flashcards with my young toddler. I read that children can do amazing things by using the flashcard method, and I want to give my child every opportunity to reach her potential! Some of my friends are doing this and say it is a great way to spend time with their child and ensure that their child is learning what she needs to know. When is the best time to start this teaching, and what are the best flashcards to use? -–An Excited Mom
Dear Mom,
I applaud your enthusiasm and decision to do everything you can to help your daughter reach her potential! I can tell that you are a person who is well-read on parenting and education. As a parent, you will hear about and consider many techniques, ideas, and suggestions regarding your parenting. While each of these may be worth reading about and reflecting upon, not all will be things you will embrace or even try! It is good to ponder such things from many angles, and I am happy to share my thoughts.
Glenn Doman developed the idea of using flashcards to “teach” infants and toddlers. His work began with children who had brain damage, autism, and developmental delays. His institution, The Institute for the Advancement of Human Potential, grew out of this work, and he began applying these techniques to children who were developing normally.
While there is nothing inherently wrong or damaging about using flashcards with your child, you should consider some aspects of this approach. For example, a flashcard program is a program that is administered to the child by the parent. It is done on the parent’s timetable and at the decision and will of the parent. While it is a way for parents and children to spend time together, it is scripted time in which the child has very little input or control. Although the child may indicate that he enjoys the flashcards and the special time with his parent, he is not choosing that activity. At the heart of the Montessori Method is the belief that children inherently know what they need to do to develop themselves.
All children enjoy one-on-one time with their parents, and most parents have a limited amount of time to spend with their child. So, while doing flashcards might be interesting and fun (even productive), is that the best way to spend your limited time with your child? Might your time be better spent doing an activity that lets you really see and experience your child’s personality, interests, curiosity, or creativity?
Flashcards are externally administered. An adult chooses which flashcards to use, how many cards to present in a session, how fast to change them, and how often to practice them. Time spent using flashcards does not allow the child time to explore, make sense of his environment, or practice developing his own interests.
My last concern is that children who have had significant experiences with flashcards may see information as something that is decided upon and presented to them from the adults in their lives. While this is one way to get information, in the Montessori Method, we encourage children to learn from their interaction with activities, as well as by experimentation.
These thoughts do not apply to older children using flashcards to master math facts or other information. Many students find this a useful technique and even create their own flashcards. This is positive when it is student initiated and self-driven. Many Montessori classrooms have flashcards as part of their shelf work, and the students enjoy quizzing themselves and each other.
So, while it will not hurt your typically developing infant or toddler to spend some time with flashcards, I suggest it is not the best use of your time, your child’s time, or your special time together. Spend time together experiencing nature, visiting museums, playing games, sharing cooking experiences, reading books, building something, or doing a craft or a science experiment! You and your child will find this time more fulfilling educationally, and you will have shared experiences and memories.
Best Wishes,
Cathie
