Key Words: Flash cards [Cards]

I would highly recommend these flash cards along with the Ladybird Keywords series of books (all 36 of them). Essential to make sure your child progresses at a good rate regardless of what they are doing at school, a good way for them to gain extra confidence for the classroom.

I had been looking for Oxford Reading Tree key words. Having bought their word games flash cards I was a bit disappointed as they were quite limited, probably because they are games and therefore two of each card. However, having now bought these Ladybird ones they are so much better. They are all the key words needed for reception (without Floppy, Biff, Chip etc) Excellent quality and my daughter loves them. If you are looking for keyword flash cards, these are the ones!

Content synopsis, ideas and words used:

Enclosed advice card outlines how best to use, listing all 100 Key Words; in the order in which they should be introduced. Taken from this card:

" You can begin by selecting words important to your child, making your own cards if necessary. These could include your child's name, the name of their pet or 'mummy'. Explain what the words say and talk about the letters and sounds. Can your child recognise the words as you hold up the cards? Can he or she pick them out from a small group of other flash cards?"

"You can also use the cards to make short sentences together: I am big/little. It is old/new. We have one/two. You can see Peter and Jane doing this in book 4C".

All lower case in their groups according to the first word in each pair...

a/can, and/came, he/could, I/come, in/do, is/did, it/first, of/down, that/get, the/from, to/him, was/have.

All/not, are/his, as/one, at/on, be/so, but/said, for/we, had/they, with/has, you/go.

About/here, an/her, back/into, been/if, before/like, big/just, by/look, call/little, made/went, make/well, me/what, more/were, much/where, must/when, my/who, new/which, no/will, now/your, off/some, old/she, only/them, or/their, other/there, our/then, out/two, over/this, right/want, see/up.

Card Height 10cm Length 15.5cm. Flexible thin card with laminated wipeable finish and rounded edges.

An example of letter size 'l' height 32mm, 'm' height 23mm width 30mm. Letters vary within these sizes, I hope this gives you an idea. Thickness of letters 3mm and jet black. Card backgrounds are brilliant white.

I purchased two packs to give greater scope for sentence building. The second pack also allows for games such as 'snap' and 'go fishing/memory to be played (blu tacking a piece of paper over the sides not needed). Also a group of cards can be laid out and one duplicate card at a time given to be matched. We use these with the Key Words box set of the first six ladybird books.

These Flash Cards are a superb asset and we shall definitely continue to purchase this reading scheme. It doesn't matter which reading scheme is used at school, we feel the Ladybird system is a sound foundation. Word reinforcement and sentence construction with clear understanding is quickly gained. We most highly recommend these cards and Ladybird.