How I Teach Spelling — Using Elkonin Letter Boxes to Teach Your Child to Spell

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Teaching kids to spell can feel overwhelming for many parents. The good news? There’s a hands-on, research-based strategy that makes spelling accessible and fun—Elkonin Letter Boxes. On PrimaryFocus.tv, I share how this simple tool helps children develop strong spelling and phonics skills, step-by-step.

What Are Elkonin Letter Boxes?

Elkonin Letter Boxes (also called sound boxes or sound segmentation boxes) are a visual and tactile tool that helps kids break words into individual sounds (phonemes). The method was developed by Russian psychologist Boris Elkonin as a way to build phonemic awareness, a key skill for reading and spelling success.

The tool consists of a series of connected boxes—one box per sound in a word. Children listen carefully to the word, identify each sound, and place a letter or a token in the corresponding box.

Why Use Elkonin Letter Boxes for Spelling?

Phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words—is one of the strongest predictors of reading and spelling success. By breaking words into sounds, children better understand how spelling patterns work, even before they learn complex rules.

Using Elkonin boxes encourages children to:

• Listen closely to each sound in a word
• Connect sounds to letters (phonics)
• Develop spelling skills by segmenting and blending sounds
• Build confidence through a clear, step-by-step process

How I Use Elkonin Letter Boxes with Children

Step 1: Choose a Word and Set Up the Boxes

Start with a simple word that matches your child’s current phonics level. Draw or use printed boxes—one box for each sound in the word.

For example, the word cat has three sounds: /c/ /a/ /t/. So, you’ll have three boxes.

Step 2: Say the Word Slowly and Clearly

Say the word aloud slowly, emphasizing each sound. Ask your child to listen carefully to the sounds they hear.

Step 3: Identify Each Sound and Place a Token or Letter

Have your child say the first sound and place a letter or token in the first box. Repeat this for each sound until all boxes are filled.

If your child is not ready for letters yet, start with tokens or small objects to represent sounds, then gradually transition to letters.

Step 4: Blend the Sounds Back Together

Once all sounds are placed, help your child blend the sounds to say the word again. This reinforces the connection between the sounds and the word as a whole.

Step 5: Repeat and Practice

Use this process regularly with different words. Gradually increase word complexity by adding blends, digraphs, and silent letters as your child’s skills grow.

Benefits of Elkonin Letter Boxes for Spelling and Reading

Using this method regularly can have a big impact:

• Improves phonemic awareness: Children become skilled at hearing and manipulating sounds.
• Strengthens decoding and encoding: Kids learn to both read (decode) and spell (encode) words.
• Supports struggling learners: This hands-on approach is especially helpful for kids who find spelling challenging.
• Builds confidence: Kids see their progress as they master breaking down words into sounds.

Tips for Parents to Get Started

• Keep sessions short and fun—5 to 10 minutes a day is enough.
• Use everyday words related to your child’s life for more engagement.
• Celebrate efforts, not just correct answers.
• Combine Elkonin boxes with other phonics and reading activities for a well-rounded approach.

Ready to Help Your Child Become a Confident Speller?

If you want a step-by-step guide and personalized tips on using Elkonin Letter Boxes and other phonics strategies, check out my workshops and resources on PrimaryFocus.tv. These tools empower parents to support their child’s reading and spelling journey with confidence.