How to Help a Child with Spelling Difficulties
If you are a parent or carer trying to help a child with spelling difficulties, you are not alone.
Many children struggle with spelling, especially as they progress through the school system.
Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies you can use to help a child with spelling difficulties.
In this blog post, we will provide some tips and advice to support your child’s learning journey.
Start with the basics
It is important to start with the basics when it comes to helping a child with spelling difficulties.
Begin by having the child identify the letters of the alphabet and the corresponding sounds they make.
Once the child has a basic understanding of the alphabet, introduce phonics-based activities such as sound matching, rhyming words, and beginning sound identification.
You can also provide practice sheets that focus on letter-sound relationships or have them draw or write words with certain letters.
When helping your child with spelling, always encourage them to sound out the words.
This means saying each letter in the word slowly and then blending them together to create the word.
It is also important to use a variety of materials that include books, flash cards, and other resources.
Providing spelling help for kids through activities like making word lists, playing board games and doing crossword puzzles can be beneficial as well.
Check out our Spell Wizards App
Use different methods
When helping a child with spelling difficulties, it’s important to use different methods.
Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods are all helpful for providing spelling help for kids.
Visual methods include making cards with pictures and words, writing words in sand or shaving cream, and using apps and games that require the child to type in
the correct spelling of a word.
Auditory methods include having the child listen to the correct pronunciation of a word before attempting to spell it, using rhyming words to remember the spelling
of a word, and listening to audio recordings of correctly spelled words.
Kinesthetic methods involve having the child trace the letters of a word with their finger, use felt boards to spell out words, and use physical objects that
represent letters such as Legos or magnetic letters.
Using different methods can help a child better understand how words are spelled and make it easier for them to remember.
Additionally, it helps to keep the process fun and engaging for the child, which can make learning much easier.
National Curriculum Spelling List
Encourage practice
Practicing spelling is a key part of helping a child overcome their difficulties.
It is important to keep practice engaging and fun so that the child doesn't become frustrated or disinterested.
To help with this, you can use different tools and activities for your child to practice.
One of the best ways to practice is to encourage your child to read often.
Reading provides an opportunity for your child to see how words are spelled, and it also allows them to learn new words.
Additionally, writing words down can be helpful, as it gives your child the chance to commit words to memory.
You can also look into online resources to help with spelling practice.
There are a variety of websites and apps that provide games and activities tailored specifically to spelling help for kids.
These can be used to both teach and reinforce proper spelling.
It is also important to make sure your child gets regular feedback on their work.
Make sure you check their spelling and offer them encouragement when they do something correctly.
Even if it's just a few words at a time, recognising their successes will motivate them to keep practicing.
Check out our grammar game
Reward progress
When it comes to spelling help for kids, it's important to reward progress and celebrate their successes.
This can be done in several ways.
Positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise and small gifts, can be used when a child makes progress on a spelling lesson.
Setting up an incentive system, like rewarding a certain number of correct spellings with a special activity or treat, is also a great way to keep a child
motivated to continue working on their spelling.
Additionally, creating games out of spelling lessons and allowing your child to compete against themselves or another family member can make spelling
practice more fun.
With the right approach, spelling help for kids can be both successful and enjoyable.
Word Wizards App
Seek professional help
If your child’s spelling difficulties don’t improve with the methods listed above, it may be time to seek professional help.
A professional can help to diagnose any underlying learning issues and can provide tailored spelling help for kids that is specific to their needs.
They can also assess any special accommodations that your child may need at school or in other areas.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are the most common professionals to provide spelling help for kids.
An SLP can evaluate your child’s communication and language skills, and work with them on proper spelling and word formation.
If a child has a reading issue, a reading specialist may be able to help as well.
No matter what type of spelling help for kids you choose, it is important to remember that no two children are alike.
What works for one child might not work for another.
Be patient, encouraging and consistent with your child when it comes to spelling, and always make sure to reward them for their successes!
