Don’t tell your kids how to spell a word! Why? Let’s talk about it…

Inventive spelling is a natural part of early learning and can serve as a fantastic foundation for reading and writing. While it may be puzzling for parents at first, this practice offers children a fun and engaging way to discover language.

Are you new here? Welcome! I’m Miss Beth the founder of Big City Readers - a different kind of early childhood development. Children need flexibility and fun to engage and grow as readers. I believe not all children learn from sitting at a desk, and it is my job as an educator to find the best solution for them. I use the 5 building blocks of early literacy: read, write, sing, talk, and play in addition to the Orton Gillingham method which utilizes the three learning pathways through which children learn—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about understanding inventive spelling, and I’ll share tips to help your child embrace this wonderful part of their writing journey!

What is Inventive Spelling?

Imagine your preschooler confidently writing “kat” instead of “cat” or “frnd” instead of “friend.” It might look like a bunch of misspellings, but it’s actually a wonderful part of their learning process called inventive spelling. This is when kids write words based on how they hear them, even if they aren’t using the “correct” letters. And that’s totally okay!

Inventive Spelling vs. Traditional Spelling

Traditional spelling is about accuracy. You spell "dog" as d-o-g, with no variation. Each letter has its specific place, and that’s the end of the story. But inventive spelling takes a different approach – one that emphasizes confidence. Instead of worrying about exact letters, they might write “dawg” or “dogg,” reflecting the phonics they hear into the words they write.

Think of it like taking baby steps. Just as toddlers wobble as they learn to walk, children using inventive spelling are navigating language. They may spell “bik” for “bike,” and these attempts show their current connection between sounds and letters.

This exploration is crucial for learning. By letting kids experiment, we encourage creativity and self-expression. Over time, they’ll naturally shift toward conventional spelling as they become more familiar with the language. Plus, it allows them to gain confidence in their own intelligence! Think… how does your child spell when you aren’t there? Their inventive spelling is developing the skills to read, write, and learn for the rest of their lives.

So, while traditional spelling and reading instruction follows a systematic approach with traditional spelling rules and patterns to level up in mastery, inventive spelling celebrates discovery and helps build confident readers and writers!

Do Not Correct Inventive Spelling Right Away, Encourage It Instead!

At this stage, we don’t need to rush to correct them. Inventive spelling gives kids the chance to express themselves freely without worrying about whether every letter is right. It's all about building confidence, and that’s what matters most at this point.

Inventive Spelling Is Amazing for Learning… Here’s Why!

Inventive spelling is one of my all-time favorite activities to encourage families because it empowers children to express themselves and explore the sounds of language in a fun and creative way. By allowing kids to spell words as they hear them, we’re not just promoting writing skills; we’re also building their confidence and love for learning.

Boosts Confidence: When kids are allowed to spell words based on what they hear, they feel proud of their writing. They’re not constantly stopping to ask, “How do I spell this?” Instead, they’re learning to trust their own abilities.
Promotes Creativity: Inventive spelling opens the door to creativity. They’re figuring out language using their own ideas, which is a fantastic way to learn. The more they experiment, the more they discover how words and sounds fit together.
Builds Early Phonemic Awareness: Inventive spelling helps children understand that words are made up of individual sounds. For example, if they write “snak” instead of “snake,” they’re showing that they recognize the key sounds in the word. This is a big step in learning to read and write.

The Stages of Inventive Spelling Development

Understanding the stages of inventive spelling development helps us appreciate how children progress in their writing skills. Each stage reflects a part of their journey in learning to read and write. Let’s explore these stages to see how your child’s writing evolves naturally and how you can support their growth along the way.

Strings of Letters: Children start to demonstrate an understanding of writing directionality, moving from left to right. While the letters may not represent actual words, they begin to "read" their writing, even if it's just pretend.
Groups of Letters: At this point, children are adding spaces between clusters of letters, although these groups still don't form real words. They're experimenting with how written language is structured.
Copying Environmental Print: Children begin to copy words they see in their environment, such as logos, signs, or familiar labels. This shows they are recognizing that certain letter combinations have meaning.
Beginning and Ending Sounds Only: As children develop, they start to focus on capturing just the beginning and ending sounds of words. While their spelling may not be conventional, it shows an important awareness of how words are formed.
Inventive Spelling: At this stage, children are experimenting with their own spellings based on what they hear, leading to creative attempts like writing "snak" for "snake." This is a key step toward mastering phonemic awareness and spelling.
Transitional Writing: Children’s writing becomes more readable, as they combine their understanding of sounds with conventional spelling rules. Their writing begins to resemble proper spelling and grammar, moving toward standard writing.

Common Misconceptions About Inventive Spelling

Inventive spelling is a crucial part of the learning process, but it’s normal to have questions, especially in the beginning. Let’s break down some of the common questions I hear from parents when it comes to inventive spelling:

“Won’t My Child Develop Bad Spelling Habits?”

This is a common concern among parents, but there’s no need to worry! Inventive spelling is not a breeding ground for bad habits; rather, it’s a natural part of the learning process. As your child continues to grow, they will inevitably learn the correct spellings of words.

“Shouldn’t I Correct Mistakes?”

It’s tempting to jump in and fix their spelling, but doing that too soon can make them afraid to experiment. We want kids to feel comfortable making mistakes—it’s how they learn! If your child has not learned traditional spelling rules yet then there is no reason to hold them accountable on how to use them. Instead, use this time to explore learning together! When your child asks if their spelling is right- say I hear those sounds too! But only if you do. If they get stuck, encourage them to just write the first letter/sound.

Focus on the Process, Not Perfection

At this stage, the goal is to help them enjoy writing, not get every word right. You can gently guide them along the way. If your child spells something like “plae” for “play,” you could say, “I hear those sounds too!” Then, when they’re ready, you can practice more together.

How To Support Inventive Spelling at Home

Supporting your child’s early writing journey is easy, and it doesn’t require textbooks or flashcards. It’s all about embracing inventive spelling and their desire to learn with excitement. You can encourage their growth with everyday activities like playing, singing, and reading with them!

Encourage Their Attempts: When they give spelling a try, show your excitement! Say something like, “Wow, I love how you’re writing the sounds you hear. You’re such a great writer!” Your positive words will keep them motivated.
Guide Without Over-Correcting: If your child writes “plae” for “play,” resist the urge to fix it right away. Instead, celebrate their effort! Neurons that fire together wire together so if we are pairing overcorrecting with their learning-to-write process, we are making negative connections in the brain around writing.
Use Positive Phrases: When they get close, but not quite there, you can say, “I hear those sounds too in the word you wrote!” This kind of positive reinforcement will help them feel confident and keep trying.
Balance Guidance and Freedom: Remember it’s all about balance. Let your child experiment and make mistakes, but be there to guide them when they’re ready. If a word doesn’t make sense to them, revisit it later when they’re open to learning more.

If you’re looking for additional guidance, I highly recommend checking out my guide - Miss Beth’s Pre-Reading and Pre-Writing Guide. This download uses research-backed strategies through playing, singing, and reading with your toddler to help them grow strong learning foundations.

Inventive Spelling Is A Beautiful Part Of Early Learning

Inventive spelling represents a wonderful aspect of early learning. It allows your child to build confidence, get creative, and explore language in a way that feels natural to them. As they continue to grow, they’ll move toward more traditional spelling on their own. In the meantime, embrace their efforts, celebrate their progress, and enjoy watching them discover the magic of words!

To take your child’s journey in learning to write a step further, I highly recommend looking into my Ready To Write Course For Preschoolers! This is such a prime time for learning AND having fun so work through strategies for both reading and writing success as a family.

If you have any further questions on inventive spelling, let me know in the comments! And to keep up with the latest learning tips for families, check out my recent posts: