Oral reading and spelling go hand in hand, as one is not usually possible without the other.
Parents can play a large part in how well their children do in English by taking note of the following points when children read at home. 1/ Children need to practise reading at home to immerse themselves in the richness of language and broaden vocabulary. 2/ In reading, children see the connections between the written and spoken word thus learn a range of sounds. The musical nature of language and the wonder of fictional worlds can also amaze children. 3/ Oral reading gives children confidence, fluency and familiarity with the printed word. Parents can also read aloud so that children become familiar with the sounds of words. 4/ Reading aloud also develops comprehension of text. If the child can read the text fluently and confidently then this shows full mastery. Parents can check their child's full understanding of the content of the text by asking comprehension questions. 5/ Oral reading can allow children to self correct (by hearing their own voice) to encourage independence. If there is a discrepancy between what is said and what is seen, the child can correct themselves. Parents can point to the error and allow their child to think for themselves by giving the correct response.
Reading aloud for children also means that the correct spelling of words are seen in context. It reinforces the connection between oracy and writing.
Allow children to participate when writing to friends and relatives. Tell friends and relatives to write to your children from a young age. This shows children the fascinating world of words and how important correct spelling is in order to get a message across.
Games that encourage children to think about words and to form opinions on their connections are useful. Games such as Scrabble, Boggle and Junior Trivial Pursuit allow children to contribute to the wide-ranging possibilities of language and to feel comfortable doing it.
Sharing mail with your children can provide understanding of the purposes of writing thus exposing them to the spelling of words in context.
Children imitate whatever they hear around them. Words expressed clearly and correctly (not 'baby talk') are a great model for both reading and pronunciation; the latter usually relevant to spelling or writing.
To specifically assist children in spelling, children can break up words into syllables as well as picturing the words in their minds. Studies show that imaging or visualisation is a great aid to recall and meaning.
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