Spelling before reading?

[LunarSea]

ds (just 4, but he won't start school until next September) seems to have developed a fascination with spelling, and is always asking us how to spell various words. Funny thing is he isn't really reading yet. Is it normal to do things this way round? And how do you handle non-phonetic spellings at this early stage? e.g. he wants to spell his teacher's name (Zoe) which doesn't really work well with phonics!

our dd1 is the same! she will be 4 in November and is fascinated by letters too. She likes playing a game with us 'what does xxxx begin with'. You say a word and she likes to work out what letter it begins with and she's usually right. She knows all her letters but hasn't shown much interest in actual reading yet, although it seems like she will get into it soon. Not sure what advice you ( or I ) need though!

My DS is 4 on Sunday and he's the same but I suspect only because my DD (6) is always asking how to spell things (for 4 hours in the car on holiday when she was writing her diary!). He's doesn't grasp it really but of course I just spell things and he's happy! He's starting to recognise letters and enjoys doing it.

Encourage them all the way and Reception channel and enhance all the stuff you've taught them.

Reception WILL channel....

Use letter sounds not letter names for the time being and just explain sometimes letters are sneaky and make a different sound i.e Zoe where the e at the end makes the o say its name. Really work with the sounds until he's sure and then you can talk about names if he hasn't moved onto something else!

Thanks debutante. And for tonight's new word, he wants to know how to spell.... Wensleydale! I somehow don't think that one's in the reception year word list