Invented Spelling:
Temporary spelling--based on their letter-sound and word knowledge-- to approximate conventional spellings; sometimes called phonetic spelling. Invented spelling is not "spell it any way you wish," but is rather the reasoned linguistic approximations that are appropriate for the child's developmental knowledge of letters and sounds. (Routman, Writing Essentials)
Phonetic spelling (writing a letter for each sound heard) is a natural step in learning to read and write. Invented spelling should not be used by students to spell common words, but rather as a way to express ideas outside of their spelling vocabulary. Also referred to as temporary spelling, children who spell words based on how they sound are able to communicate ideas way before they are ready to spell each word correctly. "First graders who are encouraged to use invented spelling write more words and spell more of them correctly than students who are focused on correct spelling," ( Routman, Writing Essentials).
If you wish to help your child with spelling at home, create an academically literate environment. Practice reading and writing. The best way to improve spelling is frequent exposure!
The following letter was sent home to parents at a small school in Wisconsin. It is supported by the National Right to Read Foundation.
Der Parints,
Dz ur child brings home riting for the ferst tim, do not be serprized at the speling. The Inglsh langwij is confuzing for students. Prematur insistints that students uz standurd, or "correct" speling inhibits thair dezir and ability to rit. We wil uz "invntd speling" in r wrk.
Az parints, u can hlp ur child by prazing awl thair riting. Let ur child red thair riting to u. Displa thair riting around ur hom. No that as ur child becomz familyer with riting, he or she wil mak the tranzishun to standard speling.
Thank u,
Techer
Cn U Rd Ths?