How to Teach a Child Sounds and Spelling

A parent is a child's first teacher. It is important to begin early learning with your child so that they are not behind when they enter into the school system. The learning process continues as your child grows and moves through each grade. Reading, writing, and spelling are important aspects in a child's education. Using simple flashcards and other learning tools will help make the process fun and easy for your child.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Package of white construction paper
• Marker
• Scissors

1. Cut out 26 flash cards from the white construction paper. With your marker, label each square with a letter from the alphabet (A-Z). Underneath the letter, in smaller letters, write down the sound that the letter makes.

2. Write a word that starts with the letter from the front on the backside of the flash card. For example, for the "A" card, write "apple" on the back. You can refer to "A is for apple."

3. Teach the child the sounds and spellings from the cards that were cut out and created. Mix up the cards. Have the child draw a card from the deck.

4. Hold the card up for the child to see. Cover up the sound that the letter makes with the bottom of your hand. Ask the child, "Which letter am I holding up?" If they answer correctly, then asks the child "What kind of sound does this letter make?"

5. Teach your child spellings. Mix up the cards. Have the child draw a card from the deck. State the word to the child. For example, if the child drew the "A" card with the word apple, then ask the child to spell "Apple." If the child answers correctly, move on. If she answers incorrectly, place it in the "more help" pile.

6. Reward the child for their correct answers. If he had some difficulty, encourage him with some extra help so that a correct answer can be made, and help them to understand.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose the appropriate level of words that the child can spell when creating the flash cards. Do not choose too difficult or too easy words for them to learn from.

Resources

• Reading to Learn
• Help with reading disabilities.