8 fun spelling activities to help kids learn

How important is having good spelling skills? Is it even relevant in this age of predictive text and ubiquitous autocorrect? When kids start writing, isn't the quality of the writing that matters more than the spelling of those words? 

While these questions are pertinent, it is undeniably true that the importance of knowing how to spell accurately has decreased in the last few years. However, spelling does not operate independently; it is a skill intrinsically connected to other facets of language learning.  

Without strong spelling skills, children could struggle with their writing, vocabulary, reading, and comprehension skills as they're all closely linked. While spelling isn't the only factor needed to be a good writer, it becomes essential for overall development as children progress through school.

Research suggests that having command over spelling even strengthens reading abilities as knowledge of the alphabetical system increases and improves a beginner's reading fluency. Learning to spell is quite essential to raising confident writers and speakers. They will also make advanced vocabulary choices, choosing the most appropriate words, making their communication effective. 

Improve spelling skills with these eight activities

Jumble-up

This spelling activity can be fun, exciting, and at the same time, hone spelling skills.

Ask your child to randomly pick 3-6 letters and make as many words as possible. 

For instance, if they chose PARES, they can make words like:

ears

ear

pear

peas

sea

reap, and so on

Unscramble 

This activity would require you to write the first alphabet of a word and jumble up the rest. You can use a magnetic board or write it down and ask your child to rearrange the letters to form the correct word.

Word heads

Paste a sticky note with a word on it on your child's forehead. They would then ask their teammates questions about the word. After your child guesses it, they'll have to spell it out loud.

Using crafts to spell 

Give your child art supplies like glitter pens, paint, markers, and crayons to encourage writing. Hand them a children's book or a magazine, and have them identify the images in it and write those words down. For example, have them write the word car if they see a car. 

The lily pad letter game

Start by writing down all 26 alphabets on different sheets of paper; these will act as your lily pads. Lay them on the floor. Choose a word and ask your child to hop on the lily pad to spell it out. Start with simple 3-letter words and build from there. To make it more exciting, play this game with a bunch of children, maybe when on a playdate. 

Letter removal

Choose a few words your child has recently learned to spell. Spell them out on a magnetic board, but remove an alphabet and scramble the word. Ask your child to deduce the word and fill in the missing letter. As they become confident spellers, remove two letters, then three, and so on.

Ball-toss spelling

This game needs 4-5 players, or you can make this a family game night activity. Everyone sits in a circle; one person tosses a ball to one of them and calls out a word. The player needs to spell the word, throw the ball to a random player, and call out a term to spell. 

Another method to this game has everyone spell one word. The first player calls the word's first letter, then tosses the ball to another player who continues to spell, and so on.

Stair-steps

Ask your child to spell out a word as if they're stairs, adding one letter at a time to the current letter. 

For example,

C

Ci

Cin

Cinn

Cinna

Cinnam

Cinnamo

Cinnamon 

Your child will eventually become a confident speller with regular and consistent practice. Always remember that spelling takes a lot of time to master. Patience and encouragement go a long way, considering how inconsistent the English language is with its spelling.   

Head on over to byjuslearning.com to learn more about our Active Learning approach to Math, Language, and Reading for children between Pre-K and Grade 3.