What comes next, is it time for spelling?

Question

I am a hsing mom that is trying to keep up with my three and a half year old. We bought Lifepacs(k) to try and keep her entertained, but these have become boring. She has started to read and trys to spell out simple words. Is this a sign she wants to learn how to spell; that she is ready to learn how to spell? Should I actually be looking into a spelling curriculum(or something I make up) for a 3 year old?

Just to ward off anyone that might think I am some crazy mom pushing my child, that is not the way it is. I am mearly following her lead and intrests.

Answer 1

Get her started on Leapfrog products. It does sound like she's ready to do some simple spelling and reading, and Leapfrog can really encourage those tendencies. Definitely go with it, it will benefit her in the long run.

Answer 2

Writing. Don't worry too much about the spelling right now. Just get her writing stories, writing lists, labelling things around the house, etc.

Answer 3

First, see what she knows. Next get picture books from the library and look for simple words that match with pictures. Give her tests by looking at pictures online and ask her to spell them out. Make games out of flash cards made from index cards or sheets of paper this way you can teach her what she wants and save money.(Make somthing up for now once she learns 5 to 6 letter words  get spelling cirriculum.)

Answer 4

I wish I had a kid like that! (smile)

I would keep it fun.  If she likes workbooks to see her progress, then go with workbooks.  I wouldn't spend big dollars on curriculum when you can use free online resources.  You will have plenty of time in the future for curriculum.  Save your money.  You will need it for later years...especially for college.

Here is an example of what I got when I put 'first grade free resources' into search.

Answer 5

I think you should start to teach her little words like  the and was and teeth don't make it to hard or don't demand she learn these words make it fun

Answer 6

Wal-Mart has some very nice 8 x 11 card things with letters and how they are formed and words that go with them spelled out.

It's cheap (like $1) and it's a nice starting spot.

There are also blocks or even better a scrabble game and you can use the letters to start spelling things.

Then are are books.  Simple 1st grade reader books with pictures.  

There's all sorts of things out there from Christian ones to things like the Berenstein Bears and Dr. Seuss.

Answer 7

yes it is defiantly time . my gran daughter is three and she is learning sign language  plays educational games on computer has a V tech and is great your not pushing she is just ready get any thing you can go on line noggin .com for fun stuff start looking for educational riding things for Xmas good luck

Answer 8

Hmm..well if she wants to learn then by all means teach her!

Get blocks with letters on them and spell words. Or go outside and write words with sidewalk chalk. Maybe get letter puzzles or those refrigerator magnets.

Answer 9

Manipulatives work well at this age, anything from blocks, to magnets, to foamie letters.  It's also fun to play with sidewalk chalk, to spell into shaving cream on a table or cookie sheet, to arrange rocks or candies to form letters, and to play moving games - chant the spelling of a word to jump rope, jump on the trampoline or bounce a ball while spelling.

My son was also reading and spelling at a young age, and these worked well with him.  One thing to look out for, as it sounds like she's gifted: gifted kids often like to master a skill, but then just plain don't see a reason for using it.  Don't be surprised if she loves to spell for a few months, or even a year or two, and then all of a sudden gets off that track.  Whatever she learns now, it will help her later on, even if she needs to repeat a significant part of the information.

Also, 3 is often too young to actually internalize the patterns involved in English phonetics; she may just like memorizing and playing with the letters right now, and that's fine.  She may need to repeat phonics training somewhere between 1st-3rd grade, when she becomes more interested in picking out and recognizing the seemingly abstract programs.

Right now though, if she's interested, go for it!  Realize that she may go through it more than once before she truly gets it, but don't hold her back.  I don't think you're crazy at all...of course, my 9yo is getting ready for Algebra and tackling my college theology work :-)

Answer 10

You don't need a curriculum.  Just teach her how to spell little 3 letter words, like cat, dog, pet, hat, rat ,sat,mat, her name, and any other 3 letter words you can think of.

Good luck.

Answer 11

I wouldn't go mortgage the house to buy curriculum materials quite yet, but experiment with expanding on what she is doing already. See where she takes you.

Answer 12

I wouldn't do any formal spelling.  I would keep up with basic reading first.  Maybe try some Bob books from the library.  If you allow her on the computer, this website also has interactive stories:  http://www.starfall.com/  .  The spelling will come naturally out of things like that.

You could also try starting on writing if you haven't already.  Kumon makes lots of really good workbooks about writing uppercase letters, lower case letters, and numbers.  They also have mazes and number games.  My daughter started these right before she turned three; the only one we haven't liked is the Cutting one.

You might also want to look into Singapore Math's Early Bird Math workbooks.  The first two are for four-year-olds but my daughter completed the first one just before she turned four.  She has really enjoyed them and looks forward to starting on the second set for age five next week.  The Singapore website has contents and sample pages for every book they sell:  http://www.singaporemath.com/Default.asp

Good luck!!

Answer 13

Yes!!!

Teach her spelling. She have the interest. Start with small words.