Effective Strategies for Helping Your Child Remember Spellings

Reading is the best way for your child to remember spellings. Nothing else is as effective as enjoying a book without stressing over every word. Great teachers and resources can offer additional help, but remember that it's normal for kindergartners to struggle with spelling many words. It's important to ask your child's teacher for tips on how to support their spelling development.

Mnemonic Devices and Commonly Misplaced Words

Two common misspellings are "practice" and "practise." A helpful way to remember which is correct is to compare the spelling of "advice" and "advise." "Practise" and "advise" are both verbs, so if a word is a noun, it's "practice," and if it's a verb, it's "practise." This rule applies effectively to both spellings.

Identifying Learning Styles

Every child has a unique learning style. For visual learners, flashcards are incredibly effective. For auditory learners, spell out the words aloud to help them remember. Tactile learners can benefit from cutting out the words and spelling them letter by letter. Identifying your child's learning style can significantly improve their spelling retention.

Utilizing Technology and Flashcard Apps

For a more structured approach, consider using a flashcard app like Anki. Recording a sound prompt on the front of the card and displaying the correct spelling on the back can make learning more engaging. Anki can help in both last-minute cram sessions and long-term learning, but it's most effective when used consistently. Even just 10 minutes of review every day can make a significant difference.

It's also important to teach your child to type and use spell check. While manual spelling is crucial, these tools can be incredibly helpful in real-world situations and reduce the strain on your child's memory.

Integrating Explicit Instruction and Phonics

Effective spelling instruction should involve a combination of explicit word instruction, phonics, and individual practice. Use strategies that help the child discover the "sound-spelling" for themselves and then compare it with the written form. This approach not only aids in spelling but also strengthens the child's overall literacy skills.

To summarize, reading, identifying the learning style, using technology, and incorporating explicit phonics instruction are all key components in helping your child remember spellings. With patience and persistence, your child can develop proficient spelling skills.