The Best Way to Learn Spellings for a Weekly Test

Published 2026-04-10

Most children are told to "look, cover, write, check" — and for many, it doesn't work well. Here are the methods that actually help spellings stick, backed by how memory really works.

Why Copying Words Out Doesn't Work

Writing a word ten times feels like practice, but it's mostly passive — the brain switches off and the hand just copies. Real learning needs active recall: making the brain retrieve the spelling from memory, not just reproduce what's in front of it.

The Methods That Actually Work

Active recall (test, don't copy)

Instead of copying, have your child attempt the word from memory, then check. The act of trying to remember — even getting it wrong first — is what builds the memory. This is the single most powerful change you can make.

Spaced repetition

Revisit tricky words over several days rather than cramming the night before. A word practised on Monday, Wednesday and Friday sticks far better than one hammered twenty times on Thursday.

Spot the tricky part

Most misspellings hinge on one tricky bit — the "ei" in receive, the double letters in necessary. Focus attention there rather than the whole word.

Make it multisensory

Say the word, hear it, write it in the air, break it into syllables. Engaging more senses builds stronger memories — especially helpful for children with dyslexia.

Turn It Into a Game

Active recall is exactly what a spelling game delivers — your child retrieves each word, gets instant feedback, and (in our case) earns a reward for getting it right. That's why game-based spelling practice tends to outperform worksheets. And if your child resists practising at all, our guide on spelling homework refusal can help.

The Night Before

Cramming rarely works, but a short, calm recall session the evening before — testing just the tricky words — is a sensible final check. Keep it brief and pressure-free.

Turn practice into pocket money

The Pocket Money Game covers spelling, times tables and reading across the KS1 and KS2 curriculum — and your child earns real pocket money for every correct answer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to learn spellings?

Active recall — attempting each word from memory and then checking — works far better than copying words out repeatedly. Combine it with spaced repetition over several days for the best results.

Why doesn't writing spellings out ten times work?

Copying is passive; the brain switches off and simply reproduces what's in front of it. Learning requires actively retrieving the spelling from memory, which copying doesn't do.

How far in advance should my child learn spellings?

Spread practice over several days rather than cramming. A word practised a little on Monday, Wednesday and Friday sticks better than one drilled many times the night before.