Difficult as spelling in English may seem, certain learning techniques may be employed to teach kids how to spell words.
For instance, Ediger (2002) proposes having the student look at the word carefully, practice its mental spelling, verify its correct spelling, write it once, check it once more, and then use that word in a written sentence.
In addition to this, the word has to be checked against its accurate spelling as often as necessary. When the word is correctly spelled, it should then be used in a functional writing task.
Children can also be taught how to spell words with the use of computer spelling programs.
The beauty of computer programs used for spelling help is that a child can return to a word that is vague to him, anytime he wants to.
In a regular classroom setting, it can be upsetting for a small child to have to ask the teacher to repeat a word that he was not able to understand completely, and neither can the teacher be expected to repeat her definition or pronunciation of a spelling word each time a student asks her to.
Programs such as the popular Ultimate Spelling software are extremely user-friendly and can entertain a user for hours on end.
When a word is chosen from a spelling list from the Ultimate Spelling software, the child can choose to click on a feature known as Word Discover, which will automatically surf the Web for all kinds of data and information related to the search word. Just imagine how much this feature would contribute to the understanding of a new word that was, minutes before, unfamiliar to the child!
Technology provides a responsive and powerful environment that engages the learner in the learning process and "takes into consideration individual learning styles, motivations and goals" (Cooper, in Jeffs et al., 2006).
Thus, when using software to teach a child how to spell words, what should be selected is one that has some degree of interactivity and makes use of different skill levels to adapt to the varied spelling abilities of kids.
Young children can be taught how to spell words with ease by providing them with materials that help them stay focused on and excited over a writing or reading task.
It's the least parents can do to equip their children with literacy skills that would give them the edge when they go out into the real world.
References:
Ediger, M 2002, 'Improving spelling', Reading Improvement, vol. 39, no. 2, p. 69.
Jeffs, T et al. 2006, 'Assistive technology and literacy learning: Reflections of parents and children', Journal of Special Education Technology, vol. 21, no. 1, p. 37.