At The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower, we believe that young writers are not just learning to spell—they are learning to think, to take risks, and to communicate their ideas with the world. As parents, you have a front-row seat to this remarkable journey. One of the most powerful ways you can support your child’s writing development is by embracing invented spelling as an essential step toward conventional spelling.
What Is Invented Spelling?
Invented spelling, sometimes called temporary spelling or developmental spelling, is the way young writers make approximations as they learn to encode words. It’s a sign of their independence, of their growing phonics knowledge, and of their confidence as writers.
Rather than relying solely on memorization, children apply what they know about letters and sounds to spell words in ways that make sense to them at their current stage of learning. And that’s something to celebrate!
Key characteristics of invented spelling include:
Phonics in Action: Children use the sounds they hear to spell words, drawing on what they know.
A Developmental Process: Spelling evolves gradually, growing more conventional over time.
Bravery & Independence: Taking risks with spelling is part of taking risks as a writer.
Experts like Richard Gentry and Tim Shanahan affirm that invented spelling is not only normal but beneficial—it accelerates phonics learning and supports overall literacy growth.
The Stages of Early Writing
Before children begin forming letters and spelling words, they move through important developmental writing stages. Noticing and naming these stages can help you support your child at home.
Mark Making Without Intent: Young children experiment with scribbles, enjoying the process of writing before it carries meaning.
Intentional Mark Making: They begin making marks or drawings with a message in mind, even if others can’t yet interpret it.
Representational Drawing: Shapes take form, representing people, places, and objects.
Early Letter Use & Phonemic Awareness: Children start connecting letters with sounds, laying the groundwork for invented spelling.
How Parents Can Support Invented Spelling at Home
Rather than correcting spelling, parents can encourage children to lean into the process of figuring things out. Here’s how you can offer meaningful support:
For Early Mark Makers:
Call it writing! “Look at your writing! Tell me about it.”
Encourage thinking before drawing. “Writers picture what they want to say first.”
Help them assign meaning. “Oh! That’s our dog? What else could we add to show that?”
For Beginning Writers Using Letters:
Say words slowly together and listen for the first sound. “Let’s stretch the word ‘cat’—c-a-t. What sound do you hear first?”
Guide them toward adding more sounds over time. “What do you hear at the end?”
Point to high-frequency words in books and everyday print. “That’s a snap word!”
For Writers Forming Words & Sentences:
Applaud their efforts. “You wrote a whole sentence! Wow!”
Clap out syllables. “Bas-ket. Can you write the first part?”
Encourage them to check if words look right. “Let’s look at this word again—do the letters match?”
Helping Your Child Move Toward Conventional Spelling
Invented spelling will naturally give way to more conventional spelling as children gain more phonics knowledge and experience with print. You can support this shift by:
Reading Together Every Day: Reading builds a child’s “looks right” muscle.
Encouraging Authentic Writing: Invite your child to write lists, stories, or letters to family members.
Modeling Spelling Strategies: Show them how to stretch out words, look for patterns, or use a word wall.
Using a “First Try, Second Try” Approach: Encourage them to attempt a word first, then check if it looks right.
At The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower, we believe that all children are writers. Invented spelling is not something to “fix”—it is something to nurture. By celebrating your child’s approximations and supporting their growing phonics knowledge, you are setting them up for success as lifelong readers and writers.
