Reading comprehension is the foundation of nearly all areas of learning. Reading words off the page is one thing, but understanding the ideas is entirely different. Helping your child connect with what they’re reading helps them build confidence and curiosity while supporting their academic success. With consistency and encouragement, parents can play a meaningful role in helping their child develop their reading comprehension skills. Here are some tips:
Incorporate Reading into Your Daily Routine
Reading should be a part of your child’s daily routine. It’s recommended that children read for at least 20 minutes each day. Carve out specific times dedicated to reading, like after homework, before bed or during quiet time. Use everyday moments, like reading recipes or instructions, for even more practice. Involve yourself in their reading time, sitting beside them as they read, asking questions and encouraging them to delve deeper into the text.
Read Aloud
Being able to read and comprehend text in our heads is a skill that develops over time. As your child works on their reading comprehension skills, encourage them to read out loud. You can even take turns reading aloud, with you reading one paragraph and your child reading the next. This offers a visual and auditory experience that allows them to process what they’re reading. Plus, it causes them to slow down and take the time to consider the ideas behind each sentence, instead of just skimming the words.
Encourage Your Child to Ask Questions
Asking questions is a huge part of learning. Encouraging your child to ask questions shows them that it’s okay to be curious. Instead of saving questions for passages they’re confused about, challenge them to ask questions before, during and after reading to help them become an active reader. While your feedback is important, it’s equally important for them to be able to answer their own questions by interpreting the text.
Have Discussions
It’s helpful to have discussions as you and your child read. Think of it like mini check-ins. After every page or passage, pause and discuss what you’ve read. What developments in the story have they noticed? Why did the characters make the choices they made? Taking time to talk about the plot, characters and themes helps children process what they’re reading and develop a deeper understanding.
Use Visual Aids
Every child has a unique learning style. Some children are visual learners by nature, so providing a visual aid can be especially beneficial. Simple visual tools like story maps or beginning-middle-end charts help children organize their thoughts as they read. Giving them a worksheet to fill out gets them thinking about what they’re reading. You can also encourage them to draw pictures of important events in the story, helping your child not only comprehend them but also visualize them. Aside from that, you can ask them to try creating “movies” in their head, helping them imagine what’s happening in the story.
Reread Difficult Passages
When your child runs into a difficult or confusing passage, they may be tempted to skip or ignore it. Explain the importance of understanding every passage they read, and encourage them to reread difficult ones with a different approach. If they reread it once and still don’t understand, challenge them to ask themselves which part is confusing them. Once they determine which part they’re having trouble with, they can go back and focus on figuring it out, using context clues and portions they do understand to help them.
Be Patient and Offer Positive Feedback
Reading comprehension is a skill that takes time to develop. Each child learns at their own pace, so be patient throughout the process. Be encouraging and offer support when they need it. Instead of focusing on mistakes, offer positive feedback and celebrate the small wins. Even if they’re struggling with a certain story or passage, praise them for their efforts and acknowledge their progress. Knowing they’re supported helps them stay motivated.
St. Charles Borromeo is an Orlando private school, located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, that understands the role of reading comprehension in students’ academic success. Our staff is committed to proclaiming the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us online.