Your Child Will Learn
Using pictures to spell words by sequencing the sounds of letters
Here’s What to Do
- Select picture examples of words with 3-4 letters from the internet, magazines, or newspapers
- Hold up the pictures, slowly saying the sounds of each letter; then ask your child to spell each letter of the word
- Draw horizontal lines on a sheet of paper and write the letters above each line as your child spells the word
- If your child is able to write letters, let them write the letters for each word
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Relax, smile, and get on eye-level with your child in a quiet space
ENGAGE
- Say, “Shall we mix up these word pictures into a pile and then pick one to spell?”
- Let’s see how many of these you already know!
ENCOURAGE
- If your child says an incorrect letter while spelling, write it down anyway and explain why the letter does not work
- Circle the incorrect letter and work with your child to write the correct letter under it
REFLECT
- Explain that spelling can be challenging because the sounds of letters vary and give examples such as the many sounds of a, e, i, o, u
Not Quite Ready
Spell the words of a couple pictures together before asking your child to do this independently
Ready for More
Select pictures examples of words with 4-6 letters
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will attempt to spell words based on the sounds of the letters they hear
Time to Complete
10-15 minutes
Materials Needed
Magazines, newspapers, scissors, paper, pencil