TALKING Flash Cards Treasure Hunt, Mini Beast Hunt Edition User Guide

: August 16, 2024
: Talking

Table of Contents

TALKING Flash Cards Treasure Hunt, Mini Beast Hunt Edition
Overview
Battery Power
How to record a message
How to playback a message
Volume Control
How to protect your messages
Trouble Shooting
Learning Outcomes
Description
Safety Information
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

TALKING Flash Cards Treasure Hunt, Mini Beast Hunt Edition

Overview

Thank you for choosing Talking Products Ltd. We hope you enjoy using this product and we are here to support you if you need any assistance. Please see the contact details overleaf. Please read these instructions carefully before use and retain them for future reference.

Battery Power

The Card Reader requires 3x 1.5V AAA batteries, (not included).
Alkaline batteries are recommended.
NOTE: Rechargeable NiMH AAA Batteries can also be used.
Slide the power switch to the OFF position. Remove the screw and remove the Battery Door.
Insert new batteries according to the correct polarity.

How to record a message

Move the Power Switch to ON and the green light will illuminate.
Select a rectangle Flash Card that includes a Barcode. The Flash Card will enable you to record one voice message on each side.
Insert the Flash Card into the slot on the Reader, ensuring the barcode is on the left side, which will enable the card to be read by the Reader. The green light will flash once to confirm.
Press and hold the red Record Button and the red light will illuminate to indicate that recording has begun. Speak clearly into the microphone, at a distance of approx 15cm, and release the button when you have finished.
NOTE: Ensure the button is held down so that the red light remains on whilst you record. You will hear a ‘BEEP’ sound to indicate the recording has begun and two ‘BEEPS’ to indicate the recording has finished.
Your message can be up to 40 seconds long and can be re-recorded as many times as you wish. A new recorded message will replace the old one.

How to playback a message

When a Flash Card has been inserted into the Reader, press the green Play Button once and release. To stop the playback at any time, press the play button once again.
You can insert any rectangular Flash Card from the pack. Each card has two unique barcodes, one on each side. The Reader will recognize each barcode and play the corresponding message.

Volume Control

There are three volume levels; Low, Medium, and High. Press the yellow Volume Control Button once to scroll through the three levels.
You will hear a ‘BEEP’ sound each time the button is pressed to indicate when the volume level is being changed.

How to protect your messages

You can protect all your messages from accidental erasure.
Locate the LOCK switch on the rear side of the Reader. To disable the recording feature, move the switch to the right ‘LOCK’ position.
NOTE: Your messages will be stored and preserved forever, even if the batteries are depleted or replaced.

Trouble Shooting

Problem: The red light flashes when a Flash Card is inserted.
Solution: Barcode is not recognized, try re-inserting the card.
Problem: I can’t record a message.
Solution: Ensure the LOCK switch is in the OFF position.
Problem: The sound playback quality is poor.
Solution: Batteries have low power, try replacing them with a new set.
Problem: There are no lights or sound.
Solution: Batteries might be inserted incorrectly, check polarity.
Problem: I have another issue or question.
Solution: Please send an email to our Customer Services Team using info@TalkingProducts.com.

Learning Outcomes

Listen to and follow spoken instructions
Learn how to problem-solve language clues
Develop an understanding of prepositions
Select and use a range of descriptive vocabulary
Use syntax and context correctly
Children are actively engaged in learning

The word preposition means ‘placed before’ and usually it occurs before a noun. Examples of prepositions; are on, inside, under, behind, in front, beside, below, beneath, between, next to and near. Depending on the age of your child, before you begin, we recommend demonstrating each of the prepositions listed above with a visual example so they start to learn each one. The game will help your child to develop and reinforce their clear understanding.

Description

Children love the excitement of a Treasure Hunt. Our Talking Flash Cards bring a new twist to this old favorite, enabling all children to actively engage through speaking and listening. It’s great fun for all age groups and spoken clues can be altered to suit all abilities.
‘Split-Screen’ learning can be achieved when different themes are used, i.e. children are developing their speaking and listening skills while learning about the items they are finding.

Stage 1

Select one of the card themes, i.e. Treasure or Mini Beasts.
Hide the oval-shaped cards for your child to find. Use a different location for each of the six cards and experiment by using different prepositions for your child to learn.
Follow the instructions overleaf to record a spoken clue on each of the six rectangular flash cards. Ensure that your spoken clue matches the location of the corresponding oval card.
Typically spoken clues might sound like this: “The Spider is hiding under the table. The Ladybird is on the chair” or “Gold Coins are hidden in the Red Pot, next to the Toy Box”.

Stage 2

When you have hidden all of the oval cards and recorded all your spoken clues, lay all the rectangle cards out so your child can see what they have to find. Ask your child to insert one of the cards into the Reader, listen to the message, and then use the spoken clues to find the corresponding oval card.
When the child has found the oval card, they must place it next to the corresponding rectangle card. Then ask your child to repeat the process, one card at a time, until all the oval cards have been found and placed next to each of the rectangular cards.
TIP: To begin, keep your clues simple and short so it is easy for your child to play the game. Their confidence will grow as they successfully find each card.
TIP: Each time you play the game you can experiment by making the clues more challenging. Try adding multiple levels to your clues so your child has several different elements to manage. e.g. “The Gold Coins are hidden in the playroom, under the red pot, which is behind the toy box”.
Your child may wish to listen to the clues several times before they find the oval card. This is normal as they begin to develop the skill of being able to listen to and follow multiple spoken instructions.
Gradual progression and challenge will build a solid understanding.

Stage 3
On the reverse side of each rectangular card, we have included a universal design to allow you to play in alternative ways and create your different games. Here are some suggestions.

Test your child’s understanding by recording a new selection of prepo cupboards. T The bois is on the lal etc. Ask your child to listen to the recording on each card and enact the preposition.
Record a list of items for your child to find. e.g. “Collect four small stones”, “Find something blue”, “Collect a sock and a shoe”, or “Pick a blade of grass from the garden”, etc.
Create new Treasure Hunt themes. Work with your child to draw your flashcards to hide and find with friends and family. Alternative themes could include finding toys, farm and zoo animals, Christmas, Easter Eggs, Halloween, clothes, letters, and shapes.

As your child’s confidence grows by playing these games, allow them to hide the cards and record the spoken clues for others to listen to and follow.

Safety Information

This product is not suitable for children under 3 years. Do not dismantle this product or immerse it in water. Use only new batteries of the stated size and type. Do not mix old and new batteries or different types of batteries. Please dispose of your old batteries responsibly by following guidelines from your local authority.

Contact Information

Talking Flash Cards
Treasure Hunt / Mini Beast Hunt Edition