Reduce anxiety around spelling new words.
For some neurodivergent children, particularly those with dyslexia, spelling new words can cause panic. They use up so much energy learning common spellings, that they react to unfamiliar words with fear. Being afraid of getting the spellings wrong can prevent them from wanting to try at all.
Fear around spelling is caused by various factors. Maybe they struggle to distinguish certain sounds, such as ‘f’ from ‘th’, saying ‘firty or fank you’ instead of ‘thirty’ or ‘thank you’. When they are asked to spell an unfamiliar word, like ‘thistle’, they might struggle with recalling the start of the word.
Other children may dislike spelling because they do not like handwriting. These children might know how to pronounce a complex word but have difficulties transferring their knowledge to paper.
Reluctant readers are also quite likely to find spelling new words intimidating. Since they do not get the same exposure to new words as their peers who read, they may find spelling them far more challenging. When reading, children come across new words in the context of the story. The spelling is right there on the page, so they learn the word and its spelling at the same.
Since English is not a phonetically transparent language, with spelling ‘rules’ that are broken all the time, there are many words that are spelt in a completely unpredictable way. Who could ever guess that hiccough is spelt like that? If not encountered in writing, spelling these words is like finding your way in the dark.
However, spellings do not have to be scary. By introducing unfamiliar words in a fun, low-pressure environment, children learn that new words are friends. They can grow to be curious about spellings, rather than afraid.
Making children curious about using words when they talk.
Before you bring out the lists and look-cover-write-check, there are many ways you can encourage curiosity about unfamiliar words. Teaching spelling must be tailored to your child’s spoken vocabulary and capacity for learning. Some dyslexic and neurodivergent children will have a strong spoken vocabulary that you can build on. For others, you need to start at a more comfortable level for them.
One way to develop your child’s vocabulary is through conversation. Perhaps they hear a word on a children’s TV programme. You can then repeat the word in conversation to build their confidence around the new word. They also learn the pronunciation through repetition.
Remember that multisyllabic words are harder for children to learn and may require more time to become part of their vocabulary. Many children, especially those who are neurodivergent, take being corrected as a sign of personal failure, so make sure to approach it with sensitivity.
“It can be an opportunity to learn a new word.”
Learning spellings through boardgames.
Word-based boardgames are an easy way to teach spellings without overwhelming your child. These games don’t require your child to write, removing the pressure of anything that resembles schoolwork, while still making them more familiar with how words are formed.
There are family-favourites. like Scrabble and Boggle, where the least frequent letters score the most points. They can be adapted by playing with a dictionary, so players have to look up what words they can spell with the letters they have. These two games also require your child to have addition and multiplication skills to calculate the point totals.
However, if your child prefers something more flexible, we recommend Bananagrams, where players compete against each other to make their own personal grid of words. Unlike turn-based games like Scrabble, Bananagrams allow each player to go at their own pace, not being rushed by each other. They also don’t need to worry about keeping track of points. The game can also easily be adapted to your preferences. For example, if your child does not like competitive games, you can make words with them, rather than play against them.
Bananagrams is also good for teaching spellings in a low-pressure way, since children are more focused on enjoying the game than worrying about misspelt words. If you play a word they don’t understand, it can be an opportunity to learn a new word and how it’s spelled. There is also no need to worry about keeping track of points.
These word games are effective because they get your child to think about how letters are combined. For example, if they play the word ‘do’, you can show them how adding ‘-ing’ makes a new word, ‘doing’.
“Games that are not centred around ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers can prevent your child from feeling anxious.”
Reducing friction around spelling.
There are other ways to reduce friction around spellings. You can use cut-out letters or alphabet fridge magnets around your house to spell words, either of the objects they are attached to or words that your child are learning.
The journey to and from school is another place where you can introduce spellings in an enjoyable way, without needing to buy anything. Games and challenges that are not centred around ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers can prevent your child from feeling anxious.
If your child has a particular interest, you can play a game where you take turns saying words that start with letter blends (such as ‘sh-’, ‘pl-’, ‘br-’). For a bonus challenge you must remember and recite all of the words on the list each time! This game is good to help your child become more familiar with letter blends. Taking turns to improvise a story that includes certain words is another way to use creativity to teach them.
Getting involved in these games and using humour helps your child not feel pressured to get things right.
Therapeutic support for spelling.
While these activities can strengthen your child’s vocabulary and nurture their curiosity around words, there are cognitive processes behind spellings that require a more targeted approach. Raviv Practice London supports these underlying skills that cannot be addressed at home or school. Through our tailored one-to-one therapy, children can improve their handwriting, working memory, and sequencing skills.
With the right support, children can approach new spellings with curiosity, rather than fear.
This blog was written by Nisha Patel.
Dyslexia? Dyspraxia? ADHD? ASD? Speech & Language? Developmental Delay? Anxiety?
Is every school day a struggle? As a parent, you may feel exhausted and on this journey alone. Each year you see the gap getting wider. You need to do something - change the approach, help your child learn for themselves, find a way to turn this around - to help while you can - do this NOW. the first step is free.
