Helping children to learn their spellings

June 27, 2020 Karen 17 comments

When my children came home from school with a list of spellings to learn for a test, I started by getting them to write out each word 3 times to get some recognition.

I also made sure that they knew what the words meant ( there’s no point in being able to spell a word that has no meaning).

I would then test them randomly throughout the week.

On the drive to school I would ask each of them to spell one of their words, my youngest at 3 and a half felt left out and said, “What about me?” so I asked him ” Adam how do you spell dog?” to which he replied “dog!” my older children said ” how did he know that?” I think it was just a lucky guess.

For long words I would encourage my boys to break them down, for example, sec-rec-tary ( I still use this method to spell secretary now).

Other useful tips are remembering dittos like boxed eggs are useful for getting the word beautiful correct

We all know that it’s i before e except after c, but this doesn’t apply to names which I discovered when I named my first born Leigh, plus’ Ph’ sounds as an F.

My eldest spelt the word autumn with a capital A and his teacher marked it as incorrect which I felt was unfair.

I have never been great at spelling, but as my eldest son is brilliant at it I must have done something right when attempting to help him learn.

Every child is different and so will respond differently in the way that they learn their spellings. Please share any methods that you use.

As always questions and comments are welcome.

Until next time.

Karen

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17 Comments on “Helping children to learn their spellings

  1. Spellings – the bane of so many parents’ lives. Most children get told at school to do the look cover write repeat method and so it’s so drilled into them that that’s how they always practise! #PoCoLo

  2. The English language certainly has some odd rules to grasp. Useful spelling tips. It’s definitely really good to get them to spell out loud. #StayClassyMama

  3. I have done lots of work with my eldest on his spellings since lockdown: the year 5 and 6 ones as quite tricky! I think it is easier to use games and play when they are younger. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging

  4. Spelling can be tricky. This is very handy. We are past that stage but I remember it well #stayclassymama

  5. I love that note from your son. Sophie mostly learned spellings through having to write words out repeatedly but little mnemonics help too and we also find that playing with magnetic letters and practising spelling is a good way to learn. #KidsandKreativity

    1. The note wasn’t actually from my son, it is from a friend’s daughter to her mum on mother’s day, thanks for sharing your experience, Louise

  6. For my daughter repitition is key, but my son gets on better with spelling apps. Thanks for linking up to #KidsandKreativity. Hope to see you back next time.

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