How should you respond to a Spanish-speaking child who reads "shell" as "chell"?

Focusing the child's attention on the /sh/ sound and modeling the correct pronunciation is an effective strategy because it addresses the specific phonetic challenge they are facing. Spanish phonetics typically lacks the /sh/ sound, which may lead a Spanish-speaking child to pronounce "shell" as "chell." By modeling the correct pronunciation, you provide a clear example for the child to hear and emulate.

This approach supports the child's language development and reinforces their understanding of English sounds that may not exist in their primary language. It also encourages confidence and learning, as the child is guided through the process of correction in a supportive way rather than being criticized for their mistake.

In contrast, ignoring the mispronunciation would not help the child learn and improve their pronunciation skills, while scolding them could create a negative association with reading and language learning. Changing the reading material may not address the underlying phonetic issue and would not help the child develop their reading and decoding abilities in English. Thus, modeling the correct pronunciation is the most constructive response.