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Spelling by the sounds you hear
Can do: Writes a word by saying it slowly and putting down a letter for each sound — kat for cat counts.
Why it matters
Invented spelling is not a mistake; it's phonics running in reverse and it accelerates reading. Demanding correct spelling now stops children writing anything at all.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
They refuse to write unless you spell it for them, or write a string of random known letters.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Write the word sun. Say it slowly and write what you hear."
Solid looks like: s-n at minimum, s-u-n ideally. First and last sounds present is a pass.
The full activity for this topic · 10 minutes
Label the Drawing
- 1They draw one thing they care about — their dog, a rocket, dinner.
- 2"What shall we label?" Pick a word together.
- 3Stretch the word out loud like elastic: "ssss-uuuu-nnnn."
- 4They write the letters they hear. Do not correct the spelling.
- 5You write the adult spelling small underneath, without comment. They will notice, over months, on their own.
If it's too hard
You say the sounds one at a time with a pause between each, and they write one letter per pause.
If it's too easy
Write a whole label sentence: "my dog is big."
Say this
"Write the sounds you hear. Any spelling is the right spelling for now — just get it down."