Supporting Spelling Skills at Home

Spelling can be a major challenge for children, especially those with dyslexia. Parents often wonder how to help their kids improve spelling without causing frustration or stress. The good news is that there are effective strategies you can use at home to support spelling skills in a way that feels encouraging and manageable. This post shares practical tips tailored for children with dyslexia, helping you create a positive learning environment and build confidence.

Letter tiles arranged for spelling practice

Understand How Dyslexia Affects Spelling

Many children with dyslexia find spelling difficult, even when they are bright, articulate, and able to express themselves well. This is because spelling relies on several underlying skills that are typically weaker in dyslexia, and all of these skills need to work together at the same time.

1. Hearing all the sounds in a word

To spell a word, a child needs to break it down into its individual sounds (for example, hearing that ship has three sounds: /sh/ /i/ /p/). Dyslexic learners often find this “phonological awareness” more difficult. They may not hear every sound clearly or may confuse similar sounds, which makes it hard to match the right letters to the sounds they hear.

2. Remembering which letters represent each sound

English spelling is full of patterns and letter combinations (like ai, igh, tion). Children with dyslexia can struggle with storing and recalling these patterns reliably. Even if they have been taught them, it can take many more repetitions for the patterns to stick. As a result, they may spell the same word in several different ways on the same page.

3. Holding information in working memory

Spelling places a high load on working memory — the ability to keep information in mind while using it. A child must remember the word they want to spell, break it into sounds, recall the matching letters, and then write them in the right order. For dyslexic learners, this mental juggling can be overwhelming, and letters may be left out, reversed, or written in the wrong sequence.

4. Storing words in long-term memory (“orthographic memory”)

Many children learn the spellings of common words simply by seeing them repeatedly. Dyslexic children often find this harder because the visual memory of words doesn’t stick as easily, especially if the spelling doesn’t match the way the word sounds (e.g., laugh, because, where). They may recognise the word when reading but cannot reliably recall the exact spelling when writing.

5. English is irregular

Even for confident readers, English spelling is full of exceptions. For children with dyslexia, these irregularities add an extra layer of difficulty. They can learn the rules, but the exceptions require strong memory and repeated exposure, which are areas they often find challenging.

6. Spelling requires more conscious effort than reading

Reading allows a child to recognise a word they already know. Spelling requires them to generate the word from scratch. This is a much more demanding process and is why many dyslexic children can read a word correctly but still struggle to spell it.

Spelling difficulties do not reflect a lack of intelligence or effort. They are a well-known and common part of dyslexia. With structured teaching, lots of practice, and strategies that match the way dyslexic learners learn best, spelling can improve — but it often develops more slowly and requires more support than reading.

Use Multisensory Techniques

Multisensory learning means engaging more than one sense at a time. This method helps children with dyslexia remember spelling patterns better. Here are some ways to use multisensory techniques at home:

• Sand or salt trays: Have your child write words with their finger in a tray filled with sand or salt. This tactile experience reinforces letter shapes.

  
  

• Air writing: Encourage your child to write words in the air using large arm movements. This adds a physical dimension to spelling.

  
  

• Letter tiles or magnetic letters: Let your child build words by moving letters around. This hands-on activity makes spelling interactive.

  
  

These activities make spelling less abstract and more concrete, which helps children retain information.

Break Words into Smaller Parts

Long or complex words can feel overwhelming. Breaking words into syllables or smaller chunks makes spelling easier to manage. Teach your child to:

• Clap or tap out syllables in a word.

  
  

• Identify common prefixes and suffixes.

  
  

• Focus on one part of the word at a time.

  
  

For example, the word “unbelievable” can be broken down into un-be-liev-a-ble. Practicing each part separately helps your child understand the structure and reduces errors.

Focus on High-Frequency Words

Some words appear often in reading and writing but don’t follow regular spelling rules. These are called high-frequency or sight words. Children with dyslexia benefit from extra practice with these words because they come up so frequently.

Create flashcards with common sight words and review them regularly. Use games like memory matching or word bingo to make learning fun. Repetition helps your child recognize these words quickly, improving reading fluency and spelling accuracy.

Flashcards and notebook on child's desk for spelling practice

Encourage Reading and Writing Together

Reading and spelling support each other. The more your child reads, the more they see correct spelling in context. Encourage daily reading of books that interest your child. Choose texts with clear print and manageable vocabulary.

After reading, ask your child to write a few sentences about the story. This practice connects reading to spelling and helps your child apply what they’ve learned. Praise their efforts to build confidence, even if spelling mistakes happen.

Use Technology Wisely

There are many apps and tools designed to support spelling for children with dyslexia. Some apps provide multisensory spelling games, while others offer speech-to-text features that reduce writing frustration.

Choose apps that focus on skill-building rather than just testing. For example, apps that allow your child to hear words, see them spelled out, and practice writing can be very helpful. Limit screen time and balance technology with hands-on activities.

Tablet showing a spelling game with colorful letters

Create a Supportive Environment

Your attitude toward spelling affects your child’s motivation. Keep practice sessions short and positive. Celebrate small successes and avoid criticism. Use encouraging language like “You’re improving” or “Great try.”

Set a regular time for spelling practice, but stay flexible. If your child feels tired or frustrated, take a break and try again later. Make spelling part of everyday activities, such as writing grocery lists or sending notes to family members.

How I Can Help

Supporting a child with dyslexia can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I offer personalized guidance and resources to help parents build effective spelling support at home. Together, we can create strategies that fit your child’s unique needs and make learning enjoyable.

Visit my website to learn more about how I can assist you and your family on this journey: www.clarityassessment.org