Reading and spelling problems should never be played down – there are indeed emotional consequences tied to them that few parents or teachers are aware of:
- 'Failure in the acquisition of reading, writing, or spelling skills might affect a child's social relations if classmates, friends, parents, and teachers do not understand, react with disapproval, and thus give a child the feeling of failure in every respect' (Valtin & Naegele, 2001).
It's crushing to see your child struggling with a skill such as spelling, which is the foundation for reading and writing.
It's true that schools these days are no longer as strict with exacting the correct spellings from preschoolers and instead encourage invented spelling, but even a child having trouble with spelling has to 'face the music' at some time.
One cannot find a solution to a child's reading and spelling challenges without also looking into therapy for the emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions.
Valtin & Naegele (2001) enumerated their approach's basic principles, which included continuous observation and treatment; development of motivation and self-esteem, involving computer use and play; focusing on the child's strengths rather than the weaknesses; involving parents and teachers; and having an accurate match between the stage of spelling and reading progress, the child's learning strategies, and the instruction.
In a study by Rinne (1998), it was found that a lack of effort in learning was especially typical of students who lack self-confidence.
Often, self-confidence comes from being praised in schoolwork – but when a child's performance is often dismal, there may be no chance for this 'praise' in the classroom setting.
It is worthwhile for parents to acquire tools that can be used at home for tutoring with spelling.
One type of spelling software, called the Ultimate Spelling software, has various levels for word lists that can encourage rather than dishearten students who do not have exceptional spelling abilities.
After studying and eventually mastering an assigned word list, the child gets a sense of achievement in his having accomplished something, and moves on to the next level.
The Ultimate Spelling software, or any other good spelling software, is beneficial in the way that it builds a child's confidence as he learns at his own pace and achieves 'small successes' in the privacy of the home.
He does not have to face embarrassment when he couldn't get the correct spelling of the words on his list on first attempt, because only he and his computer are privy to the results of his spelling exams.
With the proliferation of spelling software these days, make sure you choose spelling software that's right for your child.
References:
Valtin, R & Naegele, I M, 2001, 'Correcting reading and spelling difficulties: A balanced model for remedial education', The Reading Teacher, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 36-45.
Rinne, C H, 1998, 'Motivating students is a percentage game', Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 79, no. 8, pp. 620-624.