Why We Should Hold On to Phonics for Longer When Teaching Spelling

In the early years of learning to write and learning to spell, phonics plays a crucial role in helping children decode words and develop strong literacy skills. However, there is a common trend of moving children away from phonics too soon, particularly when it comes to teaching spellings. Many adults instinctively shift to using letter names when helping children spell, often because they perceive phonics as a stepping stone rather than a lasting tool. But is this shift happening too early?

The Confusion of Letter Names vs. Letter Sounds

When children first learn to use phonics for reading and spelling, they are taught letter sounds (e.g., /c/, /a/, /t/) rather than letter names (‘cee’, ‘ay’, ‘tee’). This phonics-based approach makes sense because words are built from sounds, not names. However, many adults, whether parents or teachers, inadvertently introduce confusion by using letter names too soon when guiding children in spelling.

For example, if a child is trying to spell "ship" and an adult spells it out using letter names—‘ess, aitch, eye, pee’—the child may struggle to connect these names to the sounds they actually hear in the word. This can disrupt their phonetic reasoning and make spelling feel arbitrary rather than logical.

Why Phonics Is Important for Learning to Spell

The idea that phonics is only for beginners and should be phased out as soon as possible can lead to children being pushed towards letter names before they are developmentally ready. Phonics remains a valuable tool well beyond the early stages of literacy and strong spellers often continue to rely on phonics strategies to break down unfamiliar words, recognise patterns, and apply logical spelling rules.

Encouraging phonics-based spelling for a longer period of time allows children to build confidence in their ability to segment and blend sounds, reinforcing a deeper understanding of word structure. Phonics is not a crutch but rather a fundamental literacy skill that supports spelling at every stage of learning.

How Spelling Confidence Impacts Writing.

A lack of confidence in spelling can significantly impact children's writing. When children struggle with spelling, they may hesitate, second-guess themselves, or avoid using more complex words, limiting their vocabulary and creativity. Fear of making mistakes can lead to shorter, simpler sentences and even a reluctance to write altogether. This hesitation disrupts writing fluency, making it harder for children to express their thoughts clearly. Writing should be an enjoyable and creative process, but if children feel discouraged by spelling difficulties, their motivation and self-expression can suffer. By ensuring children continue to use phonics for as long as they need, we can build confidence and help children become fluent, independent writers.

When Should We Introduce Letter Names?

Letter names do have a place in literacy learning, but their introduction should be carefully timed. It is helpful for children to know letter names for alphabetical order, discussing homophones (e.g., ‘C’ and ‘sea’), and distinguishing between similarly sounding letters (e.g., ‘c’ and ‘k’). However, when it comes to teaching spellings, letter sounds should remain the primary focus for as long as the child needs them.

Rather than replacing phonics with letter names, we should ensure that children are secure in their ability to hear, segment, and blend sounds before making this transition. Some children may naturally begin incorporating letter names as they gain fluency, but others may need continued phonics support well into their literacy journey.

How Can I Help My Child with Spelling?

Here are some practical tips to support your child in learning to spell:

1. Continue using phonics for spelling – When asked a spelling, first encourage your child to break the word down according to what they can hear and make any corrections if necessary.

2. Model phonics-based spelling strategies – When helping a child spell, segment the word by sound (e.g., /sh/-/i/-/p/) instead of saying the letter names.

3. Reinforce spelling patterns – Help children recognise common phonetic patterns and rules rather than jusr memorising words in isolation. 

4. Be patient with the transition – Allow children to use phonics for as long as they need, rather than rushing them into using letter names prematurely. Also, be prepared to be asked the same spelling multiple times. Try to stay patient and respond in a memorable way as the more your child talks about spellings the better chance they have of remembering them.

What about Common Exception Words that doen't work with phonics?

Some words in the English language simply don't work with phonics, we call these common exception words. These words do have to be committed to memory and children do need to know that phonics will not always work. It is very important to let children know that it can take a while to memorise these words and that it's okay to 'have a go'  in their writing using phonics if they can't yet remember how to spell a word.

We need to empower children to use the spellings that they think are right for the good of the whole piece of writing and to keep the process confidently flowing. 

In conclusion...

By holding on to phonics-based spelling for longer, we can provide children with the skills and confidence they need to become strong, independent spellers. If you’re wondering how to help your child with spelling, the answer is simple: learn to use phonics effectively and keep reinforcing it throughout their literacy journey. Rather than viewing phonics as something to "move on from," we should embrace it as an essential part of literacy development that continues to serve children well beyond their early years.