True Confessions of a Bad Mom

OK. Confession time. For two years, Mrs. Spaude has been assigning music flash cards for Simon to practice, and for two years, we seem to run out to time or "forget" to go through his stack of notes. Simon has many talents; unfortunately, note reading is not one of them. Frustration has set in. Tears have been shed. Threats have been made. Until quite recently, piano practicing time has been rather unpleasant at the Lippert house.

"Until recently?" you ask. What changed?

A few weeks ago, we found a music flash card web site. (musicards.net) It's nothing fancy. Instead of flipping a paper card--OK, another confession; we lost most of our cards--, Simon runs the cursor arrow over a card on the computer screen, and the note name appears. That's really all flash cards are. The child looks at a musical note, (or a math fact, or a social studies vocabulary word) states the note name, (or the math answer, or the word's definition) and is instantly informed that their answer was correct (hooray) or incorrect (don't worry--here's the right answer.) This process is repeated until the child can correctly identify each note (or math answer, or word definition.)

For years I've been preaching about flash cards. Flash cards help kids remember facts. They really do. When Simon was in first grade, we faithfully practiced the math cards that Mrs. Tellier sent home. We practiced them in the car. We quizzed over dinner. I suspect that our dog could pass a test on the doubles and the doubles plus one. When Charlie was in grade school, I was the Flash Card Queen! We had cards for every subject in every room of the house. As a high school student, Charlie makes his own flash cards to learn different chess openings. Nerdy? Yes, but also effective.

Why on earth did we not practice Simon's music cards? To be honest, I have no idea. The good news is that he now practices regularly, his playing has improved, (just ask Mrs. Spaude)and practice time is much more peaceful. ("Hey Mom. I sorta liked practicing my songs this week."--No kidding. he really said that!)

Why on earth am I sharing all of this with you? I'm testifying about the power of the flash card! Are your kids struggling to read music notes? Do your kids use their fingers to count up and down for math facts? Do your kids have any tests coming up? Flash cards will help. You can make your own, (really, your kids should make them) buy them, or find them free online. Whichever you choose, don't delay. Get those cards and start practicing!