Simple Strategies to Boost your Child’s Reading Comprehension
Teach, Read, Succeed: Ask the Expert
Comprehension is the goal of reading and comprehending successfully depends on a strong foundation. Below, you will find some strategies to help your child boost their reading comprehension.
Ask Questions
Before you read: ask questions such as “what do you think this story will be about?”, notice the title and any images on the cover.
During reading: ask questions like: “what just happened”, and “how do you think the character feels?” - I love this question because it also builds empathy! Predictions and asking your child what they think will happen next are a great way to discuss reading as well.
After reading: ask questions such as “what was your favorite part of the story?” or “why do you think the story ended that way?”. Asking questions about events in the story also helps your child to recall the events.
Retelling
After reading a story, ask your child to retell what happened using words like beginning, middle, and end. This gives your child an opportunity to practice sequencing the events, or putting them in order, and asks them to remember important details from the story.
Bonus: act out the story! You and your child can act out stories, and use props or your imagination!
Vocabulary
Building vocabulary will help your child’s comprehension because they need to understand the words so that they can make sense of what they have read.
Have conversations about words that are in your reading, and use them in different context throughout your day.
Example: if you read the word gigantic, talk about the meaning of the word: something very large. Later, at the playground, use the word gigantic to describe the biggest slide, so that your child is able to recall the meaning of the word and hear it used in every day life.
Graphic Organizers
Using a Venn diagram, or a graphic organizer as a visual to retell a story can help your child to recall the most important events that took place in the story. Your child can also draw the events that happened in the story, including the beginning, middle, and ending. This helps your child to think back to the key details in what they have read.
Remember that comprehension is the goal of reading, and if a child is spending most of their energy decoding the words, they may not comprehend what they have read. In these instances, you can use the opportunity to read to your child and practice building comprehension by talking about what you have read.
Are you looking to empower your child with strong reading skills, but aren’t sure where to start? Check out our Building Blocks for Confident Readers here!
Brittany is an educator and doula, fueled by her passions in teaching and supporting families. She supports families whether from birth through childhood.
Contact Courageous Moments to learn how she can help you and your child on your parenting and reading journey.