As a primary school teacher, I often come across parents who are concerned about their child’s spelling abilities. While it’s important to work on spelling skills, I also encourage parents to embrace inventive spelling (invented spelling). In this article, I’ll explain what inventive spelling is, the benefits of encouraging it, and provide some tips and tricks for parents to support their child’s learning.
What is Invented Spelling?
Inventive spelling, also known as temporary spelling or phonetic spelling, is when a child uses their knowledge of sounds and letters to spell words, even if the spelling is not yet conventional. For example, a child might spell “cat” as “kat” or “katt.” Inventive spelling is a natural part of the learning process as children start to make connections between sounds and letters.
The Benefits of Encouraging Invented Spelling
Research has shown that encouraging inventive spelling can have a positive impact on children’s language development. One study found that children who were encouraged to use inventive spelling in their writing showed greater gains in spelling ability over time than children who were not encouraged to use this approach. Another study found that children who used inventive spelling in their writing were more likely to take risks and experiment with language, leading to greater creativity and self-expression.Embracing inventive spelling can lead to limitless possibilities!Inventive spelling can also help children to develop phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in words. This skill is essential for learning to read and write, and children who develop strong phonemic awareness skills are more likely to become successful readers.
Tips and Tricks for Encouraging Invented Spelling
1. Encourage Writing using Invented Spelling
Provide opportunities for your child to write as much as possible. This could be through drawing, labeling pictures, or writing stories. The more they write, the more they will practice their spelling. Create a “writing station” in the home where children can have access to a variety of writing materials, such as paper, pencils, markers, and stickers. Encourage children to sound out words and write them phonetically. Don’t worry if they don’t spell the word correctly – the important thing is that they are practicing their phonemic awareness.
2. Praise Effort
Celebrate their efforts! Praise their attempts at inventive spelling and show an interest in their writing rather than just focusing on the correctness of their spelling. . This will help to build their confidence and encourage them to keep practicing.
3. Model Correct Spelling
While it’s important to encourage inventive spelling, it’s also important to model correct spelling. When you read with your child or write notes, make sure to use correct spelling so that they can start to make connections between conventional and inventive spelling. Let your child see you writing and talking about your writing process. This will help them to understand that writing is a valuable tool for communication and expression.
4. Provide Feedback
Provide feedback to your child about their inventive spelling. Ask them to read their writing to you and talk about what they were trying to say. This will help them to develop their phonemic awareness and make connections between sounds and letters.
Common Misconceptions about Invented Spelling:
One common concern that parents may have when it comes to encouraging inventive spelling in their children is whether it will hinder their child’s ability to learn conventional spelling. I’m here to let you know that there is no need for panic.Encouraging inventive spelling can actually support conventional spelling development in the long run. In fact, research has shown that children who are given the opportunity to engage in inventive spelling are better able to transfer their knowledge of phonetic patterns to new words and improve their spelling skills over time. Cool, eh?
Examples of Invented Spelling:
For instance, one child may write “ku” instead of “cow” or “blu” instead of “blue.” While these spellings may not be correct, they demonstrate the child’s understanding of the phonetic patterns in the words they are trying to write. Over time, with explicit teaching, practice, exposure to more words and phonetic patterns, children will learn how to spell words conventionally.
When to Introduce Conventional Spelling:
Children are ready to learn conventional spelling when they have developed an understanding of letter-sound relationships and are able to recognize and spell basic words. It is important to note that every child is different, so it is important for parents to pay attention to their child’s readiness and interest in learning conventional spelling.
But, Don’t Forget About Reading:
While this post focuses on writing and spelling, it’s important to note that reading is also a key component of developing strong language skills. Encouraging children to read a variety of texts will support their spelling and writing development. When children read, they are exposed to different words and sentence structures, which can help them learn new vocabulary and grammar. Reading also helps children develop their comprehension skills, which are essential for effective writing. Incorporating reading into their daily routines, you will support your child’s overall language development.
Conclusion
Invented spelling is an important part of a child’s learning process. It allows them to take risks, be creative, and make connections between sounds and letters. As a parent, you can help to support your child’s learning by encouraging them to write and praising their effort and creativity. I hope that this article has provided you with some useful tips and information on the benefits of inventive spelling. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, and the most important thing is to provide them with a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages their love of learning and language.
Sources:
Carlisle, J. F., & Rice, M. S. (2002). Improving spelling in kindergarten: Practices and lessons learned. The Elementary School Journal, 102(5), 455-470.
Ehri, L. C., & Wilce, L. S. (1987). Does learning to spell help beginners learn to read words?. Reading Research Quarterly, 22(1), 47-65.
Invernizzi, M. A., & Hayes, L. (2004). How children learn words: Putting spelling in its place. Reading Teacher, 58(7), 642-649.
