B & D Reversals Are Causing Spelling Problems – What Do I Do?
October 29th, 2009Ashlea S. writes:
We have a 7 year old who is in second grade and is having a difficulty spelling. Her spelling used to be great and she didn’t have a problem with it until this year. She wants to write her b’s as d’s and her d’s as b’s. It’s become very difficult to try to get her to focus on the word she is doing because she keeps trying to remember the word she did before it. What do you suggest we do to correct this so that she can start spelling the way she used to?
B and D Reversals is common for 1st graders. This is part of learning to write letters correctly. Think about it, the letters ‘b’, ‘d’, ‘p’, and “q’ are just flipped around from each other. There is no ‘form or shape constancy’. It is not like a shoe is a shoe is a shoe, no matter what the direction it is, even if it’s upside down. Learning the direction of letters can be a bit daunting. Remember, it is a learned skill. Most children are able to remember the different directions of the ‘b’ and ‘d’ and ‘p’ and ‘q’ by the 2nd or 3rd grade.
Knowing this about B & D reversals should ease your mind a bit, BUT, I still would not totally ignore it. Instead I would use a quick method to show her that she has her b’s and d’s on her body. I do that with the aide of ‘b and d’ poster and stickers. I don’t think they are up on my site yet, but they are available. The poster is $5.00 and the stickers (10 of them in the pack) are $5.00. A story also comes with them.
You can order them by calling 530-888-7160 between 9 am and 4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.
For other spelling help, check out the videos I have posted on my blog…
Spelling Problems? Learn How to Make Spelling Easy
Spelling Problems? What is the Cause and What Do I Do About Them?
Teaching Reading: The Short Vowels to Dyslexics, ADHD, & Homeschooling Kids
Hope this helps.
Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET
My daughter is still having difficulty with switching her b/d and she is now in the 5th grade. She is learning to read musical notes and I see that she is having trouble with writing the correct notes when having to read them.
I would suggest our b & d stickers and posters – they will help her to see that she has the b and d on her body. Then you can transfer that to the musical notes too. Just call the office and ask for them. It seems to me that 10 stickers are $5.00 and the poster is $5.00. They are color-coded which also helps retain the direction. Color-coding improves retention by 20%.
Just call 530-888-7160. (I’m currently out of the office but my staff can help you with the order.
Bonnie Terry, M. Ed., BCET