08/01/2026
English spelling is tricky and often quite bonkers. It can take a lifetime to learn.
Here are some strategies you can use to support your child:
1.𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒐 ‘𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒐’
Encourage your child to have a go at spelling a word. This will build confidence and practise spelling skills. Making mistakes is a natural part of learning, and if your child is comfortable knowing that they’re not going to get spellings right all the time, then they will be more likely to try out more adventurous words. Keep positive and upbeat.
2. 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒔
Remind your child to use phonics as their first port of call for spelling a new word – even in Key Stage 2. Help them to really hear each individual sound in the word and choose a suitable spelling pattern.
3. 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈
Remind children to read through their writing and check for spelling errors. They need to develop a feel for whether a word looks right. Help them to check words in a dictionary.
4. 𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅
When we read, we see words spelled correctly. The more we read, the more words we see.
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28/12/2025