Spelling Words with a Learning Disability
Strategies for Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learners
Sep 9, 2008
The end of the school week often brings spelling test. Try these strategies to boost your child’s spelling scores. A child with a learning disability needs to practice in different ways to fully integrate the words into his thinking.
Some Children Learn By Practice Out Loud
This can be the case for many children with learning disabilities. They have difficulty reading, so they rely on what they hear. The drawback is that many of these kids also have short term memory problems.
See if the auditory method works with your child. Read a word. Use it in a sentence to make sure he understands what word you mean. Then say the word again. Ask him to spell the word out loud.
Some Children Learn By Seeing Words in Print
They can pick out the correct spelling from a choice of several options. These kids also benefit from “hangman” type spelling practice games.
Some Children Learn Through Kinesthetics
They might arrange letter tiles to form a word. They also might type the words on the computer or practice them by writing them several times. Another way to practice using the tactile approach is to put a small amount of shaving crème on a table and allow the child to “write” in the shaving cream. He can then wipe the word away and be ready to start a new word.
Parents often ask which is the best method of practice. It always depends on the child and what works for him. In most cases, with children with learning disabilities it is wise to practice in all three ways so that the child can fully integrate the spelling into his memory and thinking.
Frequency of Spelling Practice
Another aspect of successful spelling word practice is the frequency. Plan to spend some time each evening on the week’s list. Cramming the night before the test seldom works in any subject and Spelling is not exception.
Try to break the task into smaller chunks. If you get the words at the end of the previous week you can use the “add on” method of practice. Ask your child five of the words. Make a note of the ones that are incorrect. Then next night ask those words again plus five more. Continue in this fashion until he has mastered all of the words.
Even with spell check on computers and palm pilots, it is unlikely that good old fashioned spelling tests will ever go away. Incorporate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic practice into the spelling routine for the greatest success.
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