For my baby's Shichida Method flashcards (and Heguru flashcards) or right brain flashcards materials, I could either look for Shichida flashcards for sale (which are very expensive) or make my own. Initially, I shop for my flashcards and exercise materials/products from the Tensai Shichida.
The quality of the Shichida (Tensai) flashcards is good but most of the pictures are cartoon pictures and not realistic pictures. I prefer showing my child realistic pictures (NOT CARTOONS).
Based on my research online, the best flashcards for babies must be realistic pictures and not cartoons.
At the same time, I need more flashcards for me to teach my child Shichida at home. So I decided to make my own.
How to make and use your own Shichida flashcards?
Here is how I get my "Heguru & Shichida resources" to make 9250 flashcards...
Cut out pictures from old magazines and books to paste on blank, thick white paper. I got some of the old books and magazines from friends and relatives. I also do go to thrift stores to buy books and magazines as my source of pictures for my flashcards.
Hunt for free PDF printable pictures from websites that give out free printables (however topics are quite limited and pictures are OK but not the best).
What printer to use? and What type of paper to use to print?
All my Shichida flashcards at home are in A5 size. You need to buy 230 to 275-gram paper in matt finished. The glossy finished paper is difficult to print
If your paper is thicker, it will be easier to flash the cards.
I made my printable flashcards using a Fuji Xerox laser printer. The thickness of the paper will depend on the type of printer you are buying.
Today with the latest technology, you can go for the inkjet printer, the images are also sharp and clear. For example, in the Canon brochure, Canon ImagePro printers claim the printing colour will last 200 years if stored properly and can print on 300gm paper.
I recommend you only use the original ink cartridges and not those "OEM" or imitations you can buy from e-commerce sites. It will spoil your printer and void the warranty.
I did try to save money and use those OEM or compatible cartridges. The printing images came out terrible, and the ink from the cartridges finishes so fast. You are better off buying the original inkjet cartridges even if it is more expensive. The OEM cartridges have spilt out and it gives problems to the other parts of the printer.
If you are hoping to store your flashcards in long run, the original ink lasts longer whereas the OEM will fade.
Should you laminate your DIY Shichida flashcards?
The short answer is no.
There are 2 different types of lamination materials. Either gloss or matt finished. Both are the same price.
I have tried both types of lamination. And in the end, I stop doing any lamination.
I find it very hard to show the flashcards fast. As you know in Shichida Method and Heguru Method, you have to flash the cards at 0.5 seconds per card.
I find that the laminated cards "cling to each other like magnets" probably owing to static electricity.
Another tip is to store your flashcards away from sunlight and not use a rubber band to tie the flashcards. These rubber bands leave marks on the flashcards and they disintegrate.
More Shichida Materials From Shichida Japan...
We went to Japan for a holiday and decided to visit Shichida Japan. I got their Tensai catalog. There were a lot of Shichida materials for sale in the catalog. It was really very expensive.
There is a mix of right brain and left brain exercises for sale. I bought a few right brain memory puzzles. It is good to have a variety of right brain activities for my child's home lessons.
It was really fun to visit Shichida in Japan.
How many Shichida flashcards do you need to make?
If you show 100 new flashcards a week to your baby. That will be 400 flashcards a month (4800 flashcards a year). Most Shichida parents show as much as 200 or more per week. That will be more than 9600 flashcards a year! Some "serious" Shichida parents flash 1,000 cards per session.
DIYing your own Shichida flashcards for your baby is fun but takes time. All the 9250 flashcards are stored in my IKEA plastic containers. I do label them so I will know which cards to bring out to teach.
In these modern times, you have the option to go digital instead of making your own flash cards.
Your child learn so fast that it is almost impossible to make his flashcards for his home practice.
As you may be aware, you have to show the flash cards faster than 1 second per flash card. If you follow Shichida or Heguru you have to show 0.5 seconds per flash cards. so digital flash cards may be a better option. Because the flash cards are presented at a fast speed consistently.
To activate the right brain you have to show the flash cards fast.
I hope you find my sharing and experience with the Shichida Method / Heguru useful. Please note that what I have written is based on my experiences in my child's Shichida and Heguru classes, and the Shichida activities I have done for my child when was in Shichida school.
My Recommendation on Right Brain Education flash cards and other resources:
Right Brain Education Library (The best and highly recommended site if you want to save time on making your own Shichida or Heguru flashcards). Many Shichida moms are using it to teach their kids for their Shichida home practice.
Update:
Do check out my other articles on:
When you support AllBabyStar, I will be able continue to share more of my experience and what I have learned.