Kid Friendly Guide: Spelling Rules with Examples

Kid-friendly guide to spelling rules with examples:

Spelling Rules for Kids

Spelling can be tricky, but there are some rules that can help you spell words correctly. Here are some common spelling rules with examples:

"I before E, except after C"

This rule means that when you have a word with the letters "i" and "e" next to each other, the "i" usually comes first, unless the letters are after the letter "c". 

For example:

• Believe
• Relief
• Chief
• Receipt

Silent E

Sometimes, when you add an "e" to the end of a word, it changes the sound of the vowel before it. 

For example:

• Tap --> Tape
• Rob --> Robe
• Bit --> Bite

Doubling the Final Consonant

When you add a suffix (like -ing or -ed) to a word that ends with a consonant, you may need to double the final consonant. 

For example:

• Run --> Running
• Hop --> Hopped
• Swim --> Swimming 

Plural Nouns

To make most nouns plural, you just add an -s to the end. 

For example:

• Cat --> Cats
• Dog --> Dogs
• Book --> Books

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently. 

Here are some examples:

• wo, too, and to
• There, their, and they're
• Your and you're

Adding Suffixes to Words Ending in Y

When you add a suffix to a word that ends in y, you may need to change the y to an I. 

For example: 

• Happy --> Happily
• Fry --> Frying
• Try --> TriedSilent Letters

Some words have letters that you don't pronounce. 

For example:

• Knee
• Wrist
• Castle

The "C" and "K" Rule

When you hear the "k" sound at the beginning of a word, it's usually spelled with a "k". 

For example: 

• Kite
• Kangaroo
• Key

When you hear the "k" sound in the middle of a word, it's usually spelled with a "c". 

For example:

• Accent
• Bounce
• Frolic

Remembering these spelling rules can help you spell words correctly and become a better writer. Keep practicing and have fun with spelling and soon you'll be a spelling pro!