Creole Spelling Is Easy (If You Know These Tricks!)
At first glance, Haitian Creole may look unfamiliar but once kids understand the simple spelling rules, reading and writing becomes a breeze! In fact, Creole spelling is often more consistent than English.
Why Creole Spelling Makes Sense
Unlike English, where the same letters can sound different in every word, Haitian Creole is phonetic. That means words are mostly spelled the way they sound. If you can say it, you can write it!
Here are a few tips that help:
- The letter “j” is pronounced like the “s” in measure
- The letter “ou” sounds like oo in “food”
- The letter “ch” sounds like sh in “shoe”
Sample Words
- jou – day
- chen – dog
- zanmi – friend
Fun Ways to Practice Spelling
Build-a-Word Cards
Create letter cards and have your child spell out Creole words. Say the word together first, then build it.
Sound It Out Game
Say a Creole word and let your child guess the letters that go with each sound. Start with words like “manje” (eat) or “solèy” (sun).
Dinolingo makes reading and writing in Haitian Creole fun for kids ages 2–14. With songs, games, flashcards, and interactive lessons, children can learn new words and practice spelling without stress.
Available on iOS, Android, and web browsers, the platform also offers printables for screen-free spelling fun.
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