A vital goal for early readers is the ability not just to recognize words but also to make real sense of them. Developing reading comprehension skills is crucial as it can affect a child’s performance in multiple subjects. Try these tips to help your budding reader boost their reading and comprehension skills!
Read aloud together
Reading out loud can improve their understanding of a text as they’re not only seeing, but also hearing the words. Seeing and hearing what they’re reading simultaneously helps children remember and internalize it better, improving comprehension. You can read collaboratively with your child by having them repeat after you or take turns reading. This ensures that your child is actively participating while also receiving support along the way.
Meet them at their level
Make sure your reader is reading books that are at the right level of difficulty. While a few challenging words can help them expand their vocabulary, too much of a challenge can make it tough for them to focus on the overall meaning of the story.
Education.com’s leveled books are perfect for finding the sweet spot! Ranging from Pre-K to 2nd grade levels, these leveled books are a collection of the same stories written at different levels of difficulty to help kids sharpen their literacy skills. If your child is struggling with a book, reading the same story at an earlier level can help them understand it better.
Ask questions
Asking questions is a good way to keep readers engaged while also checking for understanding! Questions such as “How is this character feeling?” or “What do you think will happen next?” can help students focus on the meaning of books. You can make storytime even more interactive through hands-on reading comprehension activities such as this game of catch. If your child gets stuck, suggest rereading and looking for keywords to answer the questions.
Incorporate different formats
Every learner is unique and reading may not come naturally to all. Find a learning method that works for your child and integrate it into your reading sessions. Some need to visualize the material through a graphic organizer while others need to verbally process information by discussing the text with someone.
Reading is not only an important life skill to master but also a great way to bond with your child. For more resources to help your learners reach their academic goals, check out the Learning Library!
