Although your child will learn to read and spell once he enters elementary school, you can start teaching these skills at home. The earlier your child starts to read and write, the more of a jump start he will have when it's time to send him off to kindergarten, which can increase his overall success in school. According to the National Reading Panel, children who are good readers in the early grades are more likely to be better learners throughout the rest of their lives.
Step 1
Teach your child to read first, before you try to teach spelling. Once a child can sound out words using letters, spelling is easier because she can associate the sounds as she reads with the combination of letters.
Step 2
Find books that your child loves you to read to him. You can begin reading to your child as a newborn, and some parents even read to their child in the womb. It will quickly become apparent which stories are your child's favorites. Use these favorites to encourage him to want to read.
Step 3
Use phonics to help your child sound out words as she reads. Phonics is the practice of associating sounds with individual letters or combinations of letters, and then learning how to combine letters into words. Phonics can help your child both read and spell.
Step 4
Use flash cards for reading and spelling. Write words on index cards that are large enough for your child to see. To make it more interesting, you can cut out a picture of an image that fits the word he is trying to read, such as a cat or a dog. When using flashcards for spelling, paste the image on one side and the word on the other side. Set aside time to use the flashcards on a daily basis.
Step 5
Set a weekly goal for words. Choose five to 20 or more words to master, depending on the learning level and age of your child. Focus only on those words for the week, using your flashcards. Carry over any words your child struggles with into the next week's list of words.
Step 6
Use games to keep your child interested in reading and spelling. There are board games, game console games and computer games that incorporate spelling and reading skills. By making the process a game, you can help your child focus longer while having fun learning.
Tips and Warnings
- Start reading to your child as early as possible. This helps your child learn to love reading and to start associating words with sound.
Things You'll Need
- Children's books
- Index cards
- Pen
- Reading and spelling games
