Iam sure AA5BY, The first time I applied flaps on one of my pattern planes, it startled the heck out of me. The nose dropped and I thought I was losing it, so I gave up elevator and the plane pitched up. So the next time i applied flaps and let off the elevator and started my flare over again. The flaps provided a lot more lift at the slower speed and the last thing you want is the nose pitching up further.

With the nose dropping, you have basically started your decent over again and you again have a lot more elevator to use. The added lift behind the CG pushes the nose down.

Frank