Encouraging Writing While Supporting Spelling
In many kindergarten classrooms, children are encouraged to use inventive spelling—getting their ideas on paper even if the spelling isn’t correct. Encouraging writing is important, but as educators, parents, and tutors, it’s also crucial to correct spelling errors early. Without guidance, mistakes can become habits.
Think of it like math: if a child writes 3 + 4 = 9, we correct them and show the correct answer. The same principle applies to spelling.
Here’s how to correct spelling while keeping your child confident and motivated to write:
- Let them get their ideas out first. Use a dry erase board or paper so children can freely write down all their thoughts.
- Correct one spelling at a time. For example:
- If your child writes ‘laugh’ as ‘laf’, write ‘au’ above and the ‘a’ and say, “This is your spelling for this sound.” Do the same for the /f/ sound, writing the letters ‘gh’. Make sure your child makes the corrections and saying the sounds as they write.
- If they write ‘wuz‘ instead of “was”, guide them: “The letter ‘a’ is your /u/ spelling; Say the /u/ sound as you write this spelling it.
- Say each sound aloud as they write. This reinforces the connection between letters and sounds, helping children spell more accurately over time.
- End with the correct spelling. Children want to learn, so always let the last thing they see be the correct version.
- Writing on a dry erase board reduces anxiety and spelling errors are easy to correct. Once students are more proficient at spelling, gradually move them to writing on paper.
By following this approach, children can express their ideas freely while gradually learning correct spelling, building both confidence and skill.