How to help a dyslexic child learn spellings
Learning spellings can be a challenge for any child, but it can be particularly difficult for children with dyslexia.
If you are the parent of a dyslexic child and are looking for ways to help them learn spellings, this blog post will provide you with some useful advice.
Here, we will discuss various methods that you can use to help a dyslexic child learn spellings, as well as tips for creating a supportive learning environment.
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The importance of phonics
Phonics is a powerful tool when it comes to helping dyslexic children learn to spell words correctly.
By learning phonics, children can gain a better understanding of how words sound and how they are spelled.
It's important for parents to understand the basics of phonics in order to be able to help their child develop literacy skills.
Phonics involves the knowledge of letters and the sounds associated with them.
In this way, children can begin to “sound out” words and gain an understanding of their structure.
Through phonics instruction, children learn that each letter has a particular sound, which helps them identify the different components of words and gain a deeper
understanding of their meaning.
For example, when a child hears the word “cat”, he or she can sound out the three letters: c-a-t.
By sounding out the word, the child can identify that it consists of three distinct sounds.
This helps them remember how to spell the word, since it is composed of three separate sounds that can be remembered easily.
By gaining a better understanding of phonics, dyslexic children can begin to decode words and spell them correctly.
It is important for parents to use various tools and techniques to help their child develop phonemic awareness and master phonics.
Games, flashcards, and worksheets are great ways to help your child learn how to spell words using phonics.
National Curriculum Spelling List
Breaking words down into syllables
One of the most effective techniques for helping a dyslexic child learn spellings is to break the words down into syllables.
This can help them recognise the patterns within words and remember how they are spelled more easily.
It can also help them become more aware of how words are constructed and of the rules of pronunciation.
When breaking words down into syllables, it is important to model this for the child and let them practice in short, manageable chunks.
To do this, start with short, common words.
For example, the word ‘cat’ can be broken down into two syllables: ca-t.
Then explain to the child that each syllable will be pronounced separately and how the word should sound when spoken.
As the child practices the syllables more and more, their understanding of the construction of words will increase.
The next step is to move on to longer and more complex words.
Encourage the child to break down words by looking at each syllable, one at a time.
Ask them questions such as “What do you think the first part of this word is?” and “What is the last part of this word?”
You could also help by providing clues such as rhymes or analogies that relate to the word being broken down.
Breaking down words into syllables can be an effective way to help a dyslexic child learn spellings and understand how language works.
By breaking words down and focusing on individual parts, a dyslexic child can gain confidence in spelling more complex words and understand how to pronounce them.
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Use of mnemonics
Mnemonics can be a useful tool for helping dyslexic children learn spellings.
This is a technique that involves creating stories, images, acronyms, rhymes or other mental hooks to help remember information.
For example, the word “octopus” can be remembered by using the phrase “Oh, Catch Tom on a Pirate Ship!”
The first letter of each word spells out “octopus”.
This is an easy way for dyslexic children to remember the spelling of this particular word.
Mnemonics are particularly helpful because they use imagery to aid recall.
Dyslexic children often struggle with rote learning, but mnemonics can offer an easier alternative.
You can also get your child to create their own mnemonics so that they become more engaged in the process.
If you want to go a step further, you can also create visual mnemonics to help your child remember spellings.
These could involve drawing a cartoon character or other image that corresponds to the spelling of the word.
For example, if your child is trying to remember how to spell “elephant”, you could draw an elephant and have them connect that image with the correct spelling.
Overall, mnemonics are a great way for dyslexic children to learn spellings in an interactive and fun way.
They provide an alternative to traditional methods of learning, which can often be difficult for children with dyslexia.
With a bit of creativity and practice, mnemonics can make a huge difference in helping dyslexic children learn spellings.
Homophones
Visual aids
One of the best ways to help a dyslexic child learn spellings is to use visual aids.
Visual aids provide an alternative to the traditional written form of instruction and can be used to create an engaging learning experience for the child.
Visual aids are particularly helpful for children with dyslexia because they can provide a way for them to see the word as a whole, rather than as a set of
individual letters or syllables.
For example, flashcards with pictures of items that share the same spelling can be used to help the child remember the spelling.
Visual aids can also be used to reinforce concepts related to phonics.
For instance, posters illustrating the phonemes and their corresponding letter symbols can be hung in the classroom or at home.
The use of coloured magnetic letters on a fridge or blackboard is another way of teaching phonemic awareness.
In addition, visual dictionaries and books containing illustrated words can be a great way to supplement traditional spelling practice.
It can also be useful to have students draw pictures to represent words that are more difficult for them to spell.
Finally, computer programmess can also be a valuable tool for helping dyslexic children learn spellings.
For instance, there are many software programmes which enable students to work through different levels of spelling games and activities that are tailored to their needs.
Using visual aids can be an effective way to help dyslexic children learn spellings.
They can make the learning process more enjoyable and can help foster a positive attitude towards language learning.
When choosing appropriate visual aids, it is important to take into account the specific needs and interests of each student.
With careful selection and implementation, visual aids can make a world of difference in a dyslexic child's ability to learn spellings.
Does your child need a dyslexia screening?
Repetition
Repetition is a key component in helping a dyslexic child learn spellings.
Through repetition, the child will be able to more quickly recognise the same words over and over, leading to more accurate spelling.
One way to practice repetition with a dyslexic child is by using flashcards or other memorisation aids.
Flashcards can be made with the spelling word on one side and a visual representation on the other.
For example, if you are teaching the word “cat”, you could draw a picture of a cat on the back of the card and use that to remind the child of the spelling
when they see it.
Another way to use repetition is by having the child practice writing out words multiple times.
This is especially helpful for more complex words, such as words with silent letters or unusual combinations of letters.
Having them write out a word multiple times will not only help them commit it to memory but also get used to how it looks on paper.
Finally, you can use repetition in games or activities that make learning fun.
This could be something as simple as having the child spell words aloud while walking around the house, or something more interactive like playing hangman or
bingo with spelling words instead of numbers.
This will help keep them motivated and engaged while also reinforcing their knowledge of spellings.
By using repetition in these various ways, your dyslexic child can become more confident in their ability to spell correctly.
And by making the learning process fun, you can ensure that your child will stay motivated and excited about learning.
