Making Spelling Fun

I was watching Akeelah and the Bee the other night, and I was amazed at how young brains can memorize and master huge numbers of words, much less go through the high intensity of spelling bee contest. I know it can be challenging to teach our kids how to spell and retain words, but it's always good to start them young. Practicing weekly word lists can get dull fast. Here are some tips on how to help your child to master the words.

• Tell him to eat his words. Let him spell them out with macaroni, chocolate, or Goldfish crackers and then eat them. If it's not snack time yet, then you can give him straws, pennies, or paper clips to use instead.
  
• Draw word rainbows. Write the word in pencil, then trace over it with different-color markers, water paints, pencils, or crayons.
• Practice somewhere new. Use magnetic letters on the fridge, or scribble words with chalk in the driveway or shaving cream in the shower or tub.