Learning Map

Spelling & Word Study

Spelling patterns, rules and building words — 24 skills across 10 years. Every skill below shows what it builds on and how to tell your child has it.

English24 skillsages 4–14

Grouped by the age children typically start each skill. Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace.

Around age 4

Phonics Vocabularyages 4–7AC ✓ Segmenting words into soundsages 4–7AC ✓

Around age 5

Spelling from Dictationages 5–8AC ✓ Spelling Verb Endingsages 5–6AC ✓ The Prefix un-ages 5–6 Tricky wordsages 5–8AC ✓

Around age 6

Alternative Spellings for Soundsages 6–9AC ✓ Apostrophes for possessionages 6–8AC ✓ Spelling Contracted Formsages 6–7AC ✓ Suffixesages 6–7AC ✓

Around age 7

Apostrophes for possession (age 7+)ages 7–10AC ✓ Homophonesages 7–9AC ✓ Prefixes (age 7+)ages 7–10AC ✓ Spelling Word Lists (age 7+)ages 7–9AC ✓ Suffixes (age 7+)ages 7–9AC ✓ Using a Dictionary to Check Spellingsages 7–11AC ✓

Around age 8

Spellings from Greek, French and Latinages 8–10AC ✓

Around age 9

Advanced Spelling Conventionsages 9–10AC ✓ Homophones (age 9+)ages 9–10AC ✓ Silent Letters in Wordsages 9–10AC ✓ Spelling -able & -ibleages 9–10 Spelling Word Lists (age 9+)ages 9–10AC ✓ Suffixes (age 9+)ages 9–10AC ✓

Around age 11

Applying Spelling Rules to Complex Wordsages 11–14AC ✓

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