{"id":13781,"date":"2024-03-08T10:45:54","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T18:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=13781"},"modified":"2025-11-14T17:21:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T01:21:36","slug":"how-to-teach-spelling-to-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/how-to-teach-spelling-to-kids\/13781","title":{"rendered":"How to Teach Spelling to Kids\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Teach Spelling to Kids<\/strong> <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to make spelling practice fun and memorable.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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By Jill Staake<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviewed by Dr. Stanley Diih<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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How to Start Teaching Spelling to Kids<\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Relationship Between Phonics and Spelling<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Spelling Rules and Tips for Kids<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun Ways to Teach Spelling<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Find Age-Appropriate Spelling Words<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Help Struggling Spellers<\/strong><\/strong> <\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spelling is vital for kids learning to read and write: the three skills go hand-in-hand. The more kids read, the better spellers they\u2019ll become. The better kids are at spelling, the easier they\u2019ll find writing and composition. When we teach spelling to kids, we\u2019re equipping them with skills they\u2019ll use for a lifetime of written communication with others. Here\u2019s how to start them off right. <\/p>\n\n\n

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How to Start Teaching Spelling to Kids<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before students can start spelling words, they need to master letter-sound correspondence. That means they need to understand that each letter makes a specific sound or sounds. Young students spend a lot of time learning their letters and practicing corresponding sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try this:<\/strong> Show your child a letter (use flashcards, letter magnets, or even letters you see on street signs). Ask them what sound the letter makes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids also need to recognize that words are made up of  individual sounds. This is the first step toward being able to spell.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try this:<\/strong> Say a word slowly together with your child, pronouncing each of the letter sounds. For example, \u201cSit. Sss-ih-tuh. Sit.\u201d (Don\u2019t worry about tying the sounds to letters at first, just emphasize the various sounds themselves.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that students have a basic understanding of letter-sound correspondence, they\u2019re ready to move on to phonics and spelling rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Relationship Between Phonics and Spelling<\/strong><\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

English is a complicated language. Some words are spelled more or less as they sound, but others are much more complex. To help kids learn to read and write, we teach them the rules of phonics. Phonics starts with basic letter-sound correspondence, but progresses to more complicated concepts like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n