Dyslexic students often face challenges with spelling, and traditional methods may not be effective, leading to frustration and decreased confidence.
However, a visual learning technique can make spelling practice engaging and fun. By combining visual cues with spelling words, students can improve their recognition, retention, and recall.
This article will explore how this innovative approach can transform spelling practice for dyslexic learners, fostering both skill development and confidence.
Tip 1: Use Visual Clues to Boost Conceptual Learning
This technique is based on visual and conceptual learning. This means that the student learns the entire word with a picture clue that helps them recognize and retain the word.
The method is not only effective but also engaging and fun for students. Here’s how you can implement it.
Materials you’ll need:
- Whiteboard: A simple whiteboard works best.
- Dry Erase Markers: Use different colours for different parts of the words.
- Spelling Words: Choose the spelling words your child needs to learn.
Tip 2: Break Down Spelling with Step-by-Step Strategies
- Incorporate Pictures: Draw a simple picture around or near the word that represents its meaning. For instance, for the word “light,” draw a light bulb around the “t.”
- Use Different Colours: Write the rest of the letters in black to differentiate them from the highlighted phonics concept.
- Highlight Phonics Concepts: Use a red marker to highlight the phonics concept in each word. For example, if the phonics concept is “IG,” write those letters in red.
For example:
- Light: Write “l” in black, “i,” “g,” and “h” in red, and “t” in black. Draw a light bulb around the “t.”
- Might: Write “m” in black, “i,” “g,” and “h” in red, and “t” in black. Draw strong arms next to the word to signify strength.
- Night: Write “n” in black, “i,” “g,” and “h” in red, and “t” in black. Draw a moon and stars around the world.
For more complex words, break them down into syllables or segments. For example, for the word “lightning,” draw a lightning bolt between the syllables to help your child remember the word as a whole.
For more tips to help your dyslexic child overcome reading challenges, be sure to check out our other article!
Tip 3: Maintain Consistent Symbols and Colors for Phonic Patterns
Consistency is key for dyslexic students learning phonics. Assigning specific colours or symbols to different phonics patterns helps build familiarity and boosts retention.
For example, use red to highlight vowel sounds like “ea” in “bread” and blue for consonant blends like “st” in “star.”
Colour-code common patterns: Always use the same colours for specific sounds.
Segment compound words: For “sunflower,” use yellow for “sun” and green for “flower,” drawing corresponding images next to the word.
By maintaining consistency, students can quickly recognize familiar patterns, improving both recognition and recall.
Tip 4: Encourage Daily Practice with Fun Visuals
Once you have your board ready, practice with your child for five minutes a day. Start with writing the words and then progress to oral spelling.
Consistent, short practice sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones.
This technique leverages the strengths of dyslexic learners, who often have strong visual and conceptual thinking skills.
By associating words with images, students can better recognize, retain, and recall spelling words.
This method transforms spelling practice from a chore into a creative and enjoyable activity.
Check out how we helped a dyslexic kid overcome his challenges with the help of our 1 on 1 mentoring programme.
If you’re also looking for an effective solution to help your child improve their learning and overcome challenges, contact us today to find out how we can support their unique needs.
Tip 5: Incorporate Touch-Typing to Enhance Reading and Spelling
Touch-typing can be particularly effective for dyslexic children, as it combines auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles.
Using specialised programs like Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS), students can practice typing words while hearing them aloud, reinforcing spelling patterns through muscle memory.
As they type, they also see the words on the screen, helping build a connection between sound, letters, and spelling.
Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to a typing program like TTRS or Typing Club.
Practice spelling words by typing them out after writing or speaking them aloud.
Use audio prompts during typing exercises to reinforce sound-letter correspondence.
For more tips to help your dyslexic child improve in maths, check out our other article.
Tip 6: Use Color-Coded Tools for Better Word Recognition
Visual aids like coloured overlays and highlighting pens help students with dyslexia manage visual stress and improve their ability to focus on text.
This technique allows them to clearly differentiate between letters and words, making spelling easier and less overwhelming.
For example, using blue or yellow overlays can make words appear more stable, reducing distractions caused by visual distortions.
Use a coloured overlay on reading material or spelling practice sheets. Experiment with different colours to see which one works best for your child.
Highlight specific syllables or phonetic chunks using coloured markers. For instance, highlight prefixes in green, root words in yellow, and suffixes in red to break down the structure of complex words.
When writing, use coloured pencils to visually separate difficult parts of a word. For example, highlight “ough” in “thought” to emphasise tricky sections.
Meet our passionate team of study skills mentors, dedicated to empowering children to achieve their maximum potential!
Tip 7: Boost Confidence with Mnemonics for Difficult Words
Mnemonics turn hard-to-spell words into easy-to-remember phrases. For instance, the word “because” becomes “Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants,” making it easier to remember the sequence of letters.
This method taps into a child’s ability to visualise stories and patterns, making the spelling process more enjoyable.
Choose commonly misspelt words and develop a mnemonic or catchy phrase. For example, for “necessary,” use “Never Eat Cake, Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Young.”
Practice saying the mnemonic aloud and then writing the word multiple times.
Have your child illustrate the mnemonic (e.g., draw an elephant for “because”), reinforcing the concept through visual learning.
For more tips on supporting your dyslexic child with science, check out our other article filled with practical strategies!
Tip 8: Introduce Multi-Sensory Learning for Comprehensive Understanding
Multi-sensory techniques engage students by incorporating sight, sound, and touch in spelling practice.
For example, having your child trace letters in sand or form letters with clay adds a tactile element to learning.
These activities are particularly beneficial for dyslexic learners who thrive when multiple senses are engaged in their learning process.
Use sand trays or shaving cream for students to trace letters and spelling words, combining tactile feedback with visual memory.
Create flashcards with textured letters or write words on textured surfaces. Have your child run their fingers over the letters while spelling out the word aloud.
Utilise air writing. Ask the child to write letters or words in the air using large movements while speaking the word aloud to reinforce spelling through motion.
To summarise, helping dyslexic students with spelling doesn’t have to be a struggle. With this visual and conceptual technique, you can make learning fun and effective for your child.
If you found these tips useful, give it a try and share it with other parents and caregivers who might be facing the same issue with their kid.
Visit our success stories to explore inspiring testimonials from parents and discover how we’ve helped children develop strong, lifelong study habits.
Empower your child with the skills they need to excel independently through our Diamond Study Skills program! Watch them build confidence, master key learning techniques, and eliminate the reliance on tuition services.
Join the growing community of families who have transformed their children’s approach to studying and set them on a path toward long-term success!
Help your child reach their full potential by booking a session with us today! Together, we’ll nurture their growth and unlock the skills they need to achieve lasting success.