Hello parents!
Let’s talk about one of the most common learning areas children and parents have challenges with – spelling. It might not be the most glamorous part of learning with all the different sounds, rules and patterns, but it’s definitely one of the most important.
Good spelling skills can boost your child’s confidence in writing and help them communicate more effectively. Plus, it’s a skill they’ll use their entire life. So how can we make spelling fun and something your child actually looks forward to?
Let’s explore some simple and fun tips!
Why Is Spelling Important?
Spelling is a foundational skill that plays a huge role in your child’s literacy. When children can spell well, they can write more clearly and confidently, which is key for everything!
From school assignments to texting friends and writing to do lists, knowing how to spell is crucial to being able to write.
Spelling also helps with reading skills; when kids know how words are supposed to look, they can recognise them more easily in print. This makes reading faster and more enjoyable.
Tips to Improve Spelling Skills
Start with Phonics
Phonics is the foundation of good spelling and refers to the sounds that letters make.
Understanding the relationship between sounds and letters helps children break down words and spell them correctly. Spend time practicing phonics with your child, using games and activities that focus on letter sounds and blends.
Make It Visual
Kids are often visual learners, so use that to your advantage. Write tricky words on colourful index cards and hang them up around the house. The more your child sees the word, the more likely they are to remember how to spell it. You can even turn it into a game by asking them to find and spell the word when they see it.
Use Spelling Games
Turn spelling practice into a game! There are plenty of fun, educational games available that focus on spelling. Whether it’s an app on your tablet or a classic game like Scrabble, making spelling fun is key to getting your child excited about it.
Practice in Short Bursts
Spelling doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. In fact, short, frequent practice sessions are often more effective. Spend just 10 minutes a day going over spelling words and mix it up with different activities to keep it fresh and interesting.
One of the best ways to improve spelling is through writing. Encourage your child to write stories, letters, or even just lists of their favorite things. The more they write, the more they’ll need to spell, and the better they’ll get at it.
Fun Spelling Activities
There are SO MANY ways to make spelling fun and engaging for children.
Keep reading to see our top suggestions on ways to keep your child engaged, happy and practicing their spelling skills all at the same time! Our ideas include resource based activities and simple, easy to prepare activities for home.
Spelling Word Art
Get creative with spelling words! Have your child write their spelling words in big letters and then decorate them with stickers, glitter, or drawings. This not only makes spelling practice fun but also helps them remember the words.
Spelling Boggle
Another great game is what we at ThriveTutors like to call ‘How Many Words Can You Make?’ This is a great way to test children’s knowledge of individual sounds, digraphs and blends, as well as helping them to quickly identify visual patterns.
Children are given a set of letters and must use those letters to build as many words as they can. You can adjust this activity to give them more or less letters, complex sound patterns and time limits as well. You can write your letters on a piece of paper, or use our pre-made activity sheets available here.
Spelling Bingo
Create a bingo card with spelling words instead of numbers. Call out the words, and your child can mark them off as they spell them correctly. It’s a fun way to practice multiple words at once and can be played with friends or family members for added competition.
Word Hunt
Take your child on a word hunt! Pick a few tricky spelling words and have your child search for them in books, magazines, or even street signs. This helps reinforce the correct spelling in a real-world context.
Silly Sentences
Challenge your child to use as many spelling words as possible in a silly sentence. The funnier, the better! This encourages them to think about the meaning of the words and how they can be used in context, which helps with retention.
Write each letter of the alphabet on a separate piece of paper and spread them out on the floor. Call out a word and have your child jump from letter to letter to spell it out. It’s a great way to get them moving while practicing their spelling!
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