How to Help Your Child Spell

Is your child having trouble on weekly spelling quizzes in school? Below are some helpful tips for parents.

Once your child has learned to master this learning technique, he/she will be able to study his/her spelling words AND possibly other homework independently.

First and foremost, make your child your own practice test. As soon as your child brings home a list of new spelling words, sit down and create a special practice test. Since studies show that children learn how to spell words by visualizing them in their minds, try not to resort to mindless copying tactics. Instead, have your child say each new word out loud in a sentence—then ask him/her to write it down.

Now, have your child grade the test with you. Keep working if there are any misspelled words.

If so, tell your child to: Say the word while looking at the paper. Close his/her eyes, visualize the word on the paper, and spell the word out loud. Look at the written word to see if it was spelled it out loud correctly. Look at the word again, then cover the word and write it down. Lastly, check to see if he's written the word correctly.

If any word is misspelled again, all four steps must be repeated. Repeat the process once again after your child finishes the list of misspelled words.

On the night before the test, give your child another practice test with all the words.