6 Tips to Help Improve Your Child’s Reading Comprehension

Learning to read is an essential part of your child’s academic and cognitive development. In addition to gaining valuable knowledge, reading also helps improve children’s language skills and boosts their vocabulary. Reading entails so much more than identifying letters and decoding text and sentences. It also involves truly comprehending the information being presented. When children struggle with reading comprehension, this can be detrimental to their performance in school. This is where your role as a parent comes in. There are things we can do to help children who have difficulty with reading comprehension. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Have your child read aloud

One of the simplest ways to help strengthen your child's reading comprehension is to have children read aloud. Instead of just reading with their eyes, encourage your child to read with their mouths too. Doing this will provide them with additional time to process what they're reading, thus enabling them to understand the content better.

Reading aloud is also helpful when a child is struggling with difficult words or a particular part of the book.

Provide age-appropriate books geared toward your child’s developmental level.

Make sure that whatever your child is reading isn't above their reading level. If the material is too difficult, it will not result in a successful learning experience.

Instead of jumping from book to book to find one with words children will easily understand, try looking for reading materials with simpler texts first, so they can master basic concepts before moving onto more advanced content.

Let children pick out books they find interesting

Sometimes, poor reading comprehension comes down to the fact that your child is uninterested in the material. Children who are interested in the books they're reading are more likely to see improvements in comprehension because they will be more motivated to read more and practice.

It’s best to let children select their own reading material whenever possible. Take them to the nearest library or bookstore. Let them peruse and choose books that pique their interest. In addition to helping them improve their reading skills and comprehension, reading books geared toward their interests will also make the activity a fun learning experience.

Encourage reading for pleasure

When it comes to reading, consistent practice is crucial. The more often children read, the more their reading comprehension will improve. It will help them make sense of text and information in general. In order to foster a love for literature with children, parents need to encourage them to read frequently. Start by providing a variety of books that are age-appropriate and geared toward their level of development. You can make reading even more fun by giving rewards, like stickers or other little prizes each time your child finishes a chapter or a book.

Also, instead of letting your child spend countless hours staring at screens, watching television, or playing games on their electronic devices, encourage them to spend their free time reading.

Discuss what they're reading

Take time to ask children about the books they're reading. Confirm their understanding by asking questions at the beginning of the book, during, and after they’ve finished it.

Ask questions like: "What do you find most interesting about this book?”, "What was the story about?", or, "Why did this character act in that way?" Having these types of conversations will help children practice critical thinking as they read a story, and gain a broader understanding of the material.

Revisit sections that are confusing

If children have trouble understanding a specific word or sentence, pause and help them figure out what it means. Have them write down unfamiliar words and look them up in the dictionary. Then, do a quick refresher and revisit the part of the book in which these words were used.

As children get older, it becomes increasingly important for parents to be involved with their children’s academics, and seek to understand which tools and strategies work best for their kids. Becoming a better reader and improving reading comprehension is something parents can help with. Follow these tips to help sharpen your early reader’s comprehension skills!

At Mrs. Myers' Reading Room, we specialize in providing fun and interactive classes for developing readers. Our engaging process helps students enhance their interpersonal skills as they gain self-confidence and a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. Learn more about us by visiting our website.