Can you help me spell…?
My child is getting ready for kindergarten this fall and in preparation for this milestone, we’ve been reading a lot of books and learning to spell words. In helping your child learn how to spell, Thomas Armstrong, a learning specialist and nationally-known expert in the fields of human development and learning, suggests to keep the following in mind:
- Don’t be overly concerned about the spelling errors he makes. Some experts recommend that children make up their own spellings to words they don’t know. This helps them practice playing around with the sounds of letters and develops other skills necessary for good spelling later on.
- Play word games with your child. Games like Scrabble, anagrams, and even Wheel of Fortune help kids experiment with different spellings and get instant feedback.
- Encourage your child to read and write frequently. Reading exposes your child to correct spellings. Writing gives your child the opportunity to apply his existing knowledge of spelling rules.
- Finally, if your child wants to help with a word, write it down for him so he can see it clearly and refer to it later on.
- Remember not to judge or evaluate. Even Leonardo da Vinci and Henry Ford were poor spellers.
The important thing is to help your child improve his spelling gradually. If you follow these suggestions, then certainly he will over time.
Helping Your Child Become a Better Speller - Thomas Armstrong
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