Ten Tips to Help Improve your Child's Spelling

Spelling is an essential skill that is necessary for communication. It is the foundation of literacy and the ability to read and write. There are many reasons as to why knowing how to spell is important, so we've compiled these helpful tips and tricks that can help your child become a top speller.

1. Encourage children to read regularly. This can help your children familiarize themselves with the spelling of words as they will be viewing them more regularly. Children's Books at Eason
   
   

2. Help children to understand phonics and how to use them to spell words. This can include breaking words down into sounds and syllables.
   
   

3. Encourage children to write regularly, whether it be in a journal or through creative writing exercises. This will help them to practice spelling in context. Keep a dictionary on hand so they can look up words they’re not sure how to spell.
   
   

4. Use spelling games and activities to make spelling practice fun and engaging. For example, Scrabble, hangman, word searches, and spelling bees.
   
   

5. Teach children spelling rules, such as the “i before e except after c” rule and help them to apply these rules when spelling words.
   
   

6. Help children to learn commonly misspelled words and practice spelling them regularly.
   
   

7. Use technology, such as spell-checkers, to help children identify spelling errors and correct them.
   
   

8. Practice handwriting with your child as writing different words out on paper can help children to remember the correct spelling of words.
   
   

9. Encourage children to use mnemonic devices/ memory devices to remember how to spell difficult words. For example, to remember how to spell ‘believe’ correctly, use the mnemonic “I do not beLIEve a LIE”.
   
   

10. Lastly, use positive reinforcement and praise to encourage children to improve their spelling skills. Celebrate their successes and offer support when they struggle.