Improving Learning

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Spelling bees continue to be a cornerstone of academic competition in public schools, promoting vocabulary development, language mastery, and confidence in young learners. While the fundamentals of success remain consistent, recent trends show that today’s spelling bee champions are combining traditional study habits with modern tools and linguistic strategies.

Understanding the secrets of spelling bee champs can help students, parents, and educators support stronger literacy outcomes both inside and outside the classroom.

Why Spelling Bees Still Matter in 2026

Spelling bees are more than competitions, they reinforce core literacy skills that are essential for long-term academic success. According to recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, vocabulary and reading comprehension remain closely linked, with students demonstrating stronger spelling skills often outperforming peers in reading assessments.

In the post-pandemic learning environment, schools are placing renewed emphasis on foundational literacy. Spelling bees offer a structured and engaging way to strengthen:

• Vocabulary acquisition
• Pattern recognition
• Memory and recall
• Public speaking confidence

Many districts have also reintroduced or expanded spelling bee programs as part of broader literacy recovery initiatives.

Core Study Habits of Spelling Bee Champions

While technology has evolved, the foundational habits of top spellers remain remarkably consistent.

Consistent, Structured Practice

Spelling bee champions dedicate time daily to studying word lists and reviewing previous material. Rather than cramming, they focus on incremental learning and repetition.

Effective routines often include:

• Daily word study sessions
• Weekly cumulative reviews
• Practice tests under timed

Like it or not, the SATs are a critical opportunity for students to prove themselves to college admissions committees across the country.

If you want to be at the top of your game, you need to develop an effective strategy to prepare. We spoke with sInstaEDUome of the top experts in college admissions to find out more about the best ways to prepare for the SATs.

1. Start Reading

If you have a lot of time to prepare, the first step is get reading. Richard Bernstein, Executive Director of Huntington Learning Center (Cherry Hill, NJ and Turnersville, NJ), says this is crucial. “If you have a year to prepare, read, read, and read some more.”

2. Create a Balanced Study Regimen

Build a study pattern that will get you ready for the test. Students can effectively study in a group, one-on-one sessions, or by themselves. No matter what you do however, make sure you don’t overload and always keep a reasonable study/life balance.

Setting goals is only useful if they are realistic. The best way to be productive during crunch time is to “schedule play activities first into your calendar, then your work.” Piers Steel, a professor at the University of Calgary, says in a NerdScholar study piece. “It makes sure there is a payoff for being productive.”

A student who elects to devote an inordinate amount of time to studying for the

Summer learning loss is a concern for parents and teachers alike, as research further documents the reality of this trend. The National Summer Learning Association cites research spanning 100 years that consistently shows students score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on those same examinations before summer break begins. Evidence also points to the fact that summer learning loss contributes significantly to the widening achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students as they progress through school. What can parents do to prevent this trend with their own children? Check out these ten summer options to keep your kids learning all summer long.

Talk to Your Child’s Teacher

A report at Today advises parents to talk to their child’s teacher prior to the end of the school year to get recommendations on material to cover over the summer. The teacher can alert you to potential gaps in your child’s learning that you can work to fill during the break. Some teachers will even have reading lists or workbook selections that would benefit your child’s summer learning program most.

This video offers parents some tips for summer learning.

The Summer Reading Adventure

Local libraries are a boon to parents and kids over the summer months. Many have summer reading programs, complete with enticing prizes if kids read a certain number of books or log

Summer school may be a requirement if your child did not pass one of his classes during the school year. It might also be a choice for a student who wants to get ahead for the upcoming academic year. No matter the reason behind the summer school choice, it can be challenging to hit the books when everyone else is enjoying vacation time. Check out these ten tips to help your child survive and succeed in his summer school efforts.

Avoid Learning Loss

Is summer school the right choice for your child, or would a break from the stress and strain of class be more beneficial? According to a 2003 study cited at GreatSchools.org, summer learning loss can concern parents of struggling students. The study found that students lost up to one month of learning by the time they returned to school in the fall. This gap may be even higher for students who traditionally struggle with academics.

This video from PBS discusses reinventing summer school to avoid learning loss.

Choose the Right Class

Some summer classes may be filled with remedial students or students with severe learning disabilities that do not serve to motivate your own students to succeed. When searching for a summer class, consider the environment your student will be working in to ensure it will breed success. The right class will be well worth the cost if

The start of a new school year is always filled with many beginnings, including the beginning of the relationship with your child’s teacher. A positive relationship can reap many benefits for you and your child, creating a constructive learning environment where your young student can thrive. Developing a good relationship begins even before the first day of school, as you prepare your child - and yourself – for what lies ahead. Here are 10 constructive ways to build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher this year.

This TED Talk focuses on the parent-teacher relationship.

Make Initial Contact

It is important to make contact with your child’s teacher either before the school year begins or shortly after it has started. Some of the issues to cover with a teacher during this initial contact include:

• Health issues
• Family issues
• Learning style
• Behavior issues

By alerting your child’s teacher to these important factors at the beginning of the year, it allows that teacher to support your child in the best way possible throughout the year.

This video gives helpful tips on how to establish a productive relationship with your child's teacher that will benefit you, the children, and the teachers.

Offer Support

Let your child’s teacher know up front that you are on her side when it comes to how she