How Spelling Supports Reading - Kid spelling and reading wrong
Spelling and reading are two closely related skills.
It is essential for kids to learn how to spell words correctly in order to become successful readers.
This blog post will explore the connection between spelling and reading and explain how spelling supports reading.
Additionally, it will discuss the challenges that arise when kids are spelling and reading wrong.
By understanding how spelling and reading work together, parents and teachers can help their children improve their literacy skills.
Why is spelling important?
Spelling is a vital part of any child’s education, as it helps with the development of literacy skills such as reading and writing.
The ability to accurately spell words is essential for many tasks throughout life, from filling out job applications and writing essays to completing emails and
sending text messages.
Furthermore, by taking part in spelling bees or engaging in spelling activities with words, children can improve their vocabulary and confidence in using language.
Spelling is also important for communicating effectively. When writing, incorrect spelling can lead to misunderstandings, embarrassment and frustration.
Similarly, when speaking, people may not understand if words are mispronounced due to incorrect spelling.
By honing their spelling abilities, children can avoid such confusion and increase their communication success.
Therefore, it is clear why spelling is so important for young learners.
Not only does it help them become better readers and writers, but it also improves their communication skills and boosts their confidence in using language.
Taking part in activities such as spelling bees or spelling with words can further enhance these benefits, making spelling an invaluable tool for any child’s
education.
Check out our Spell Wizards App
How does spelling support reading?
Spelling plays a crucial role in the ability to read and understand written language.
When a person can spell words correctly, they can identify each letter in a word quickly and accurately.
This helps them recognise familiar words and interpret them quickly.
It also allows them to sound out unfamiliar words more easily, and more accurately interpret new words.
This is why participating in spelling bees and regularly practicing spelling with words can be such an effective way to improve reading ability.
The relationship between spelling and reading can be explained using the process of decoding.
In order to read a word, the brain must match up the printed letters with the correct spoken sound for each letter, in order to build a mental image of what the
word looks like.
If a person does not have an accurate understanding of how to spell a word, they cannot decode it correctly, meaning they cannot understand what the word is saying.
This is why children must learn how to spell words correctly in order to be able to read them.
In addition to helping decode words, spelling can also help with reading fluency.
When a reader has an accurate understanding of spelling, they can recognise words more quickly, which allows them to read more quickly and accurately.
Good spelling skills also help with vocabulary, because when a person can spell words accurately they can recognise more words in a text and understand their
meanings more clearly.
In summary, spelling plays an important role in reading comprehension.
Participating in spelling bees and engaging in regular practice of spelling with words are both great ways to increase reading fluency, as well as help
children to decode and understand written language more effectively.
National Curriculum Spelling List
What can you do to help your child with their spelling?
The key to helping your child with their spelling is to make it fun and engaging.
As a parent, you can make spelling practice more interesting by having your child take part in activities like a spelling bee or playing spelling games.
You can also try incorporating more hands-on activities such as writing out words or using objects to represent the sounds of a word.
By having your child spell with words they are familiar with, they can learn to identify letter patterns and connect them to meaning.
For example, if your child is familiar with the word ‘why’, they can look at how the letters are arranged (y-h-w) and relate it to the word’s meaning.
This method of spelling with words will help them build strong connections between the words they use and their corresponding spelling.
If your child is struggling with a particular word, you can try giving them an easier version of it to start with.
For example, if they are having difficulty spelling ‘beautiful’, you could give them ‘beau’ and have them fill in the rest of the letters.
This method can help to break down a difficult word and make it more manageable for them.
You can also encourage your child to use visual cues when spelling words.
By pointing out the different parts of a word, they can recognise and remember the individual letter patterns that make up a word.
For example, when spelling the word ‘beautiful’, you could point out the ‘ea’ pattern which appears in the middle of the word.
By encouraging your child to use visual cues and break down words into smaller chunks, they can build their understanding of how spelling works and support their reading skills.
The key to helping your child with their spelling is to make it fun and engaging.
As a parent, you can make spelling practice more interesting by having your child take part in activities like a spelling bee or playing spelling games.
You can also try incorporating more hands-on activities such as writing out words or using objects to represent the sounds of a word.
By having your child spell with words they are familiar with, they can learn to identify letter patterns and connect them to meaning.
For example, if your child is familiar with the word ‘why’, they can look at how the letters are arranged (y-h-w) and relate it to the word’s meaning.
This method of spelling with words will help them build strong connections between the words they use and their corresponding spelling.
If your child is struggling with a particular word, you can try giving them an easier version of it to start with.
For example, if they are having difficulty spelling ‘beautiful’, you could give them ‘beau’ and have them fill in the rest of the letters.
This method can help to break down a difficult word and make it more manageable for them.
You can also encourage your child to use visual cues when spelling words.
By pointing out the different parts of a word, they can recognise and remember the individual letter patterns that make up a word.
For example, when spelling the word ‘beautiful’, you could point out the ‘ea’ pattern which appears in the middle of the word.
By encouraging your child to use visual cues and break down words into smaller chunks, they can build their understanding of how spelling works and support their reading skills.
Check out our grammar game
Tips for helping your child with spelling
Spelling is an important part of reading and writing.
Knowing how to spell words correctly helps children understand the meaning behind them, as well as improving their written communication skills.
Here are some tips for helping your child with their spelling:
1. Encourage them to participate in spelling bees. Taking part in a spelling bee can be a fun and challenging way for children to learn more about spelling, as well
as helping them to practice and hone their skills.
2. Help them to understand why spelling is important.
Explain why it is important to spell words correctly, and encourage them to take pride in the effort they put into learning the correct spelling of words.
3. Practice, practice, practice! Have your child write out words that they have difficulty with multiple times until they can spell them correctly.
4. Play spelling games. Games such as Boggle and Spelling with Words can help kids become more familiar with words and spellings.
5. Ask for help. There are lots of resources available online and in books that can help your child develop their spelling skills.
You can also ask teachers or tutors for help with specific words or topics if needed.
By following these tips, your child will be able to improve their spelling and make reading and writing a much easier task!
