Ability to spell a word means the carrying out of certain habits which
have already been formed. If these habits are right then the word is
spelled correctly. If children have not formed the right set of habits,
if their pronunciation is wrong, if their mental picture is distorted,
if imperfect vision causes them to see the word indistinctly, if their
hearing is not normal, or if the coördination of the muscles is poor,
any or all of these things will lead to the misspelling of a word. It is
highly important, therefore, that the first impression which the pupil
gets of the word shall be a correct one. That first impressions are
lasting must be continually kept in mind. _The method of teaching_ will
help or hinder the getting of this correct impression.