The
Importance of Inventive Spelling
Parents of beginning writers often look at their children’s
sentences and see something like this: We wnt on a rid it wuz fn. Translation:
“We went on a ride. It was fun.”
When children are first learning how to write, they often use
“invented spelling.” Otherwise known as phonetic spelling, invented spelling is
when children listen to the sounds they hear in words and write down the
letters that make those sounds. Words like "cat" or "pin"
are usually spelled correctly under the invented system, but irregular words
like “special” or “the” are often incorrect.
It can be frustrating to stand by and watch your child spell
incorrectly. But using invented spelling is an important stage in your child’s
development as a writer. In first grade, especially, children are still
learning and practicing which letters make which sounds. Using invented
spelling is a great way for children to practice which letter-sounds go with
which letter! This practice will improve both their writing and reading. Rest
assured, your child will develop standard spelling as she gets older. Use these
guidelines to know how and when to help your child with spelling:
Do have your child stretch out the words she is spelling to
try and hear all the sounds in the word. For example, “cat” should be stretched
out /c/ /a/ /t/. Have your child say the word slowly and listen to all the
sounds that she hears. If he doesn’t hear a sound in a word (let’s say he
writes “ct” for “cat”) gently push him to listen carefully to the word once
more (going with the “ct” example, ask him what sound comes between the “c” and
the “t”).
Don’t correct your child’s spelling. Children should feel like
successful, independent writers. If children feel like they can’t write without
perfect spelling, they will not think of themselves as writers. Children also
may develop a tendency to rely on grown-ups to tell them if their spelling is
“right.” Instead of focusing on correct spelling, encourage your first grader
to write phonetically. If first graders are representing all the sounds they
hear in words, they will be able to read their own writing. That’s what we want
from young writers-- standard spelling will come later.
Do find out what sight words/spelling words your child is
learning in school. If your child’s teacher has taught the students the words
“the” and “and”, then your child should be consistently spelling those two
words correctly in his writing. You can hold your child accountable for words
that he has spent a long time learning about and practicing in school.
Don’t worry if you can’t read your child’s writing. Try to
point out why it is important for your child to be able to read her writing.
Talk with her about including all sounds in the words she’s writing and remind
her to put spaces between her words. Often kids will not be able to hear all
the sounds in words-- that’s okay. Usually kids start by representing beginning
sounds, then beginning and ending sounds. The final stage of invented spelling
comes when kids are able to include middle sounds. For example, if a child is
asked to spell the word “cat” she might start by writing “c” then “ct” and
finally “cat”.
Finally, and most importantly, DO encourage a love of writing!
Writing should be a fun, low stress activity. Take the pressure off your child
to spell all words correctly and instead praise him for his imaginative story
or interesting details. When your child values writing, he/she will see the
importance of writing to be understood, and this will encourage him/her to
develop more conventional spelling later.
Enjoy,
Nora Sierra
Early Childhood Assistant Principal
Grade 1 Teacher
Discovery School
(504)221-7790
(504)221-7791(fax)
(504)9500-1720(school cell)
(504)9985-0732(mobile)
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