As Belle moves closer to reading, she has also shown more of an interest in writing. But every time she wants to write something, she badgers me for the correct spelling.
I know that in kindergarten, she will be encouraged to use "kid spelling," i.e. spell it how it sounds. The idea, as shown in this document from a different school district, is to just get them writing:
When your child asks you how to spell a word, rather than just provide the correct spelling, work with your child to "stretch out the word" like a rubber band. Encourage your child to record the sounds that he/she hears when stretching it out. If the result is not the common spelling, congratulate your child on his/her "kid spelling" of the word. Do NOT provide the common spelling. Our goal is to foster independent thinking in writing and beyond. As children grow as readers, their "kid spellings"/temporary spellings will begin to be replaced by common spelling.
I have tried this approach with Belle many times over the past few months, however, and the result is always the same. She'll start to spell a new word, but as soon as she encounters uncertainty, she asks me for the answer. I tell her to just try, that it doesn't matter if it's technically correct, as long as she can read it. That she can worry about spelling later. But she will not be deterred. She wants it right, period.
I find this so frustrating, because I know that she would have a wonderful time writing little stories if she could just get past the need to be "right." I can't wait to see what approach her kindergarten teacher will take. Speaking of which, only five more days until she starts school!