At what stage of spelling development do spellers begin to understand prefixes, suffixes, and irregular spellings?

The knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and irregular spellings is typically associated with the correct stage of spelling development. During this stage, spellers demonstrate a solid understanding of basic spelling rules and patterns, as well as the ability to apply more complex spelling strategies. They not only spell words correctly but also recognize how the addition of prefixes and suffixes can alter the meanings of base words. Additionally, these spellers show awareness of irregular spellings, which do not follow conventional phonetic rules, indicating a more advanced level of spelling proficiency.

In contrast, at earlier stages such as the phonetic stage or semiphonetic stage, spellers may rely more heavily on sounds and letters without a deep understanding of these linguistic structures. The transitional stage acts as a bridge where students are beginning to refine their spelling skills but have not yet fully mastered the complexities involved in spelling that occurs at the correct stage. Thus, the understanding and application of prefixes, suffixes, and irregular spellings is a hallmark of the correct stage of spelling development.