Learning to spell words can prove challenging to beginning readers and writers (and even many adults!). While your child will receive spelling instruction at school, there are also several ways you can boost his spelling skills at home as well. Here are some suggestions for fun activities to try with your growing speller:
1) ARTISTIC WORDS
Instead of asking your child to write tricky words over and over with a pencil, why not spice it up? Get out some paints and have your child practice spelling words that way. He’ll be having so much fun that he won’t even notice that he’s practicing his spelling! If he’s familiar with the concept of vowels and consonants, you might even suggest using one color for vowels and another for consonants. Paint isn’t the only way to have fun with spelling. You could try with markers, crayons, or even sand in the sandbox.
2) KID EDITOR
Give your child a chance to correct an adult for a change! Write a few simple sentences on a piece of paper, purposefully misspelling a few words. Give your child a red editing pen and ask her to circle any words that look misspelled. Then have your child write the word correctly above the misspelling. Kids love this role reversal!
3) MIRROR REMINDER
Are there a few words that your child has particular trouble with? If so, consider putting one or two words on an index card and taping it to the bathroom mirror. Every time your child brushes her teeth or washes her hands, she’ll have a visual reminder of those tricky words. Once she’s mastered those words, switch them out for some new words.
4) WORD GAMES
Find some kid-friendly crosswords online, or at the library or bookstore. Work with your child to show them how to fill out a crossword. Make sure they use a pencil when filling in the crossword. Keep a children’s dictionary in case he needs help spelling. In addition to crosswords, there are several other commercial word games that boost spelling such as Scrabble and Boggle.
5) TELEVISION STUDY
Does your child like to unwind with a favorite TV show? Consider putting on the closed captioning feature on your television. Your child’s eye will automatically be drawn to the words on the screen and she’ll be reading correctly-spelled words while enjoying a favorite program. She won’t even realize she’s learning!
Spelling can be a difficult and challenging component of learning for your child.
By using the suggestions above, hopefully your child will boost his spelling skills while having fun at the same time. While most computers will include spell-check, developing spelling skills will also develop your child’s brain and intellectual maturation.
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