How can I help my child with spelling?
Spelling
You can help your child improve their spelling by encouraging them to use the following evidence-based spelling strategies:
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Visualising the word: remembering the appearance and the shape of the word; picturing the word in the mind.
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Making connections: drawing on knowledge of word families, similar words; recognising syllables.
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Sounding out the word: identifying the beginning sound of the word and then identifying the rest of of the word; using syllables.
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Reflecting: verifying the spelling of the word by checking, using a dictionary, list, or computer spell-checker.
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Combining and applying some or all of the above strategies together.
'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check'
'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' is a strategy used to help students learning their spellings. You can download and print the 'Look, Cover, Say, Write, Check' pdf for your child to practise their spelling.
To help your child, encourage them to follow these steps:
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look at the spelling word and commit it to memory
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cover the word with a piece of paper or their hand
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say the word out loud
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write the spelling word in the space given in the practice booklet
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uncover the spelling word to check if they've got it right
How to help your child with spelling
Explain to your child that some words can be sounded out, but not all English words can be spelt correctly by ‘sounding out', for example, the words ‘you' and ‘said'.
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Talk to your child about how you spell, and what you do when you don't know how to spell a word.
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Encourage your child to write at home on paper and on the computer, for example filling in forms, writing notes to family members, writing phone messages and reminder notes, making lists, replying to letters and emails, and sending cards.
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Provide a dictionary and use it together. Remember that dictionaries are more useful if your child knows about the alphabet and how a dictionary works.
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Encourage your child to first try spelling unknown words themselves, and then praise the parts of the word that are correct and suggest what else is needed.
What you can do when your child asks how to spell a word
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Encourage your child to have a go first, and then discuss their effort.
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Make sure they have access to a dictionary (if they have learnt to read) and know how to use it.
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Simply tell your child how the word is spelt and talk about it together.
Should you correct your child's spelling?
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First, encourage your child to check their work and find any mistakes.
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If they have made a mistake with a common word, ask them to try to fix it without your help.
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It's always useful to show your child the correct spelling of a word.
What you can do when your child finds spelling too hard
Be supportive. Remember that when you child is learning to write, they will not be able to accurately spell all the words they want to write.
If your child seems to be having ongoing problems, talk to their teacher.
What if you aren't a good speller?
No problem. Use a dictionary or a spell checker on the computer and work out how to spell words together.
Should you let your child use a spellchecker?
Yes. Spell checkers can be useful, but remind your child that they still need to be thinking when they use it. Your child will need your support:
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when the word is spelt correctly but it is not the right word, for example ‘shore' and ‘sure'
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when the computer gives suggestions but your child still doesn't know which word is correct
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when the computer uses American spellings.
1. NSW Department of Education (2020) Helping your child become a good speller. NSW Department of Education. https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/learning/english/english-tips/helping-your-child-to-become-a-good-speller