Spell it right | Creative ways to practise spelling words with children

We have all crossed that phase and as parents, we do it again with our children - but in a different way! In our day-to-day life, we still look out for the correct spelling in case we get confused as to what is the correct one.

Is it 'principle' or 'principal'?
Is 'separate' correct?

Is it 'apologise' or 'apologies'?

For young children, teaching the basic words and getting them correct needs time and practise. They need to understand how the word sounds and how to use the phonetic sounds or rules to get the word correct. This needs constant practise in order to make them understand. Also, this is a beginning phase for a young reader and writer. When my little one started reading the basic words, it was still manageable as it needs only to read the word using the phonetic way. But writing the spelling is an altogether different ball game.

But why does it sound difficult? Because it is a learning phase for both of us.

So, how can we make it easier?

We would come across different games to do these spelling with our kids. But for any working mother/father, it is not easy to do out of the ordinary word games to teach spelling. However, I did try a few at home when the little one started to write spelling. These games are not only for learning spelling but also to build memory, practise writing spelling, knowing the art of winning and losing, making them think to play a game. For a parent, it is another way of making them write the same word 5 times - without them knowing that they are doing it. You both win!

For Writing Spelling

Try these at home, even everyday, depending on your child's interest and see what suits them best!

Word Building using Alphabets

If you want to go a bit further with the spelling game and only if your child can do the basic words easily, try this word building with Alphabets. Take one alphabet at a time and try to find the basic simple words with that alphabet. For example, take alphabet B. Ask your child to find words starting with B. You can keep it simple to 3-4 letter words - Bat, Ball, Bag, Bite, Bud, Bug, Big, Bring, Boy, Boat, Brush, Bus, Barn.

Play Tic-Tac-Toe

This is the most popular game in our house which we play almost every week. We practise spelling by playing this game. Of course, this needs the time and attention of one of the parent. But, this has really helped me to teach him not just spelling, but a few more:
* make him understand the concept of winning and losing
* make him think to win the game
* writing the same spelling for at least 5 times (which is a bonus for me - till he reads this blog post!)

All you need to do is take a paper and two different coloured pencils and start the game. Give points for the maximum scorer.

For Reading

Find the words in a book

Take a book and ask your child to find words which are given in that book.
Try to give them words which rhyme. Ex: cat and rat, here and there.
Try to find words which have the same alphabet beginning. Ex: Cat, Car, Camp, Cart

This will help them to identify the words and also the sounds. Practise it for a few times with your kid and they will start to do it themselves after a while.

Find a word when doing your grocery

When doing your grocery, ask your child to find the vegetables/fruits names. You can spread the game by asking them to find specific words like milk, cheese, dry by reading the labels.


It is really important to read to your child as much as you can. I do not read everyday to him now, but reading books has always been a part in our home whenever we can. It makes them exposed to the different words and help them learn. Try to point our words which your child has recently practised. We try to do a lot of word families so we can easily recognise the words when they are presented. Find them in a book or write them down.

Always try to find new games which will resonate with your child's interest. Do leave your comments on what games you play to practise spelling with your child. Happy to learn more!