As adults, it’s hard to remember a time when we had to learn the age-old chore, er skill, that is spelling. It’s really just a thing of the past — that is, until we have kids. We appreciate just how difficult teaching a child to spell can be, which is why we’ve attempted to make the process a little easier for you. Below, we’ve provided some creative parenting tips to get (and keep) your child interested. By making it fun, both you and your child will enjoy the time spent spelling, and will — fingers crossed — look forward to it.  

3 fresh parenting tips to practice spelling with your kids:

1. Type it out.

Children LOVE spending time on the computer, so why not use that to your advantage? To do this, type out the beginning of a sentence at the very top of an empty page. Something simple such as "My favorite part of the day was…" is a great way to start. Each day, sit with your child and ask them to finish typing out the sentence. By doing this, you’re not only encouraging your child to spell things out, but you’re encouraging reflection as well. It’s a win/win! 

2. Plan a trip somewhere.

It can be something as simple as a family trip to the grocery store or the park. Whatever you choose, ask your child to write down what it is they’re most excited about in regards to the trip. When you get home, have them write in a journal what they enjoyed about your outing – and why. Keep in mind, a child under the ages of 7 may not be able to write lengthy sentences. For these children, it’s a good idea to ask them to spell the words out as you write them down. Remember, it’s always okay to help them along the way! 

3. Use everyday items.

Things such as rice, beans, broken crayons, cotton swabs, and paper clips are fun, creative items to use when teaching your child to spell. Compile a list of five to 10 words, place a poster board on the floor, and spell out each word with the items on hand. You can make this more fun by writing each letter out with a different item and rewarding your child from the universal wishlist along the way.