Beeldkaart

Beeldkaart is a Dutch term that literally means image card. It refers to a card bearing a visual image and is used in a variety of contexts, including education, communication, and documentation. The term is generic and can describe cards with photographs, illustrations, icons, or pictograms. In the Netherlands and Flanders, beeldkaarten are common tools in classrooms and in speech-language therapy.

In the field of communication, particularly in special education and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), beeldkaarten support understanding and expression. They allow people with limited or no spoken language to convey needs, wants, or comments by selecting the appropriate card. Cards can depict concrete objects, actions, routines, or emotions and are often used in combination with established methods such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or other symbol-based approaches. Beeldkaarten may present single words, phrases, or sentences, with or without accompanying text.

In educational settings, beeldkaarten function as flashcards or vocabulary cards to teach word-object associations, reading readiness, categorization, and storytelling. They are used for early literacy, language development, and classroom routines. Formats vary from simple card sets to thematically organized decks; durable laminated cards are common for daily use, while digital versions are increasingly popular in tablets and apps.

Beeldkaarten can be produced in analogue or digital form and are often complemented by additional symbols or text to enhance clarity and learning outcomes. They are widely used in Dutch-language education and therapy, and their general concept has analogues in many languages as picture cards or pictograms.