Easy Tips to Help Your Child Improve Their Spelling

Week after week your child brings home a long list of spelling words. If spelling does not come easily to your youngster, you probably spend a considerable amount of time every night from Monday until Friday attempting to engrain those words into the depths of your child's brain. If both you and your child are tired of the same routine, check out these fun and easy tips to success in spelling.

Teachers and parents agree that practice makes perfect. Rather than cramming for the test late Thursday night, try spreading out the task. Spend a little time each evening with your child practicing spelling.

Children learn in different ways. Try to use different techniques to find out what works best for your child. Flash cards may be a great idea. Encourage the student to write each word on a note card or slip of paper. As the child writes each letter, have him or her say the letter's name out loud. Upon completion of the card, she or he should say the word aloud.

Hold a spelling bee at home. Maybe the night before the scheduled spelling test, you and your child can have a spelling bee. Use the spelling words for the week in a sentence. Then say the word. Your child will enjoy seeing his or her progress from earlier in the week. Reward your child's success with a certificate, sticker, or other special treat.

Small tasks are easier to overcome. Divide the daunting list of words into smaller portions that seem easier to handle. If the student brings home a list of fifteen spelling words each week, then Monday night practice only the first five words on the list. Tuesday evening focus solely on the next five words. Complete the last five words on the list Wednesday night. Use Thursday evening for a spelling bee or an overall review of the words. Your child will undoubtedly see five words as much more manageable than a large list of fifteen.

Point out patterns in the list of spelling words. If the list of words have something in common, bring this to your child's attention. If all the words end with the letters "ies" then practice this together a few times. Once the youngster has mastered that letter combination, he or she will know part of each word on the list. This will help to boost the child's confidence level.

When you and your child are bored and frustrated, very little progress will be made. Liven things up. Use creative ways to practice spelling the words. An alphabet of different colored self-inking stamps are fun for kids. This new way of practicing the spelling words will help to keep the student interested.

Let your child write the words in sugar. Place a generous portion of sugar in a large zippered bag. Lay the bag flat on a hard surface or table. Your child can use his or her finger to write the spelling word in the sugar. Play sand also works quite well with this idea. Take the bag with you to practice while on the go.

Use chocolate pudding like finger paint to write the words on a large piece of paper. Mix up a large batch of chocolate pudding. Let your son or daughter use a small bowl for spelling and enjoy the rest for dessert.

Inexpensive refrigerator magnets are readily available at your local Wal-Mart. The entire alphabet is included in each set. You will want a couple set for double letter combinations such as words like "little" or "meeting". the brightly colored letters will be in a convenient place for practice time. You may even be surprised to find your son or daughter spelling out words and phrases on the fridge just for fun.

The key to success with spelling is to practice. The practice time must be fun and stimulating to keep your child interested. Practice a little each night. Use creative ways to vary the task at hand. As your child's interest grows, practicing will become more fun and grades will reach their highest potential.