Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2023 Issue
By Fiona Tapp
You could be forgiven for thinking that spelling bees may not be as important in an age of instant spell checks and predictive text, but the competitions are so much more than simply memorizing a list of words.
The young wordsmiths who take part in these exciting events study root words and etymology to spell in front of an audience, quickly and competently. Participating in spelling bees, and the practice required to compete, not only helps children develop spelling skills and reading comprehension, but can bolster their confidence and communication skills as well.
Fiona Tapp is a former teacher and school administrator of 13 years based in Ontario. She writes about education, parenting, and travel for a variety of publications including National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Sunday Times, and many more.
