5 Tips on How to Improve Reading Comprehension with Children

Children need more than just good readers; they must also comprehend the text they read. As a certified Reading Specialist, I have assisted thousands of kids with improving their reading comprehension over the years. 

 

If your child is struggling to comprehend the material, whether in textbooks, fictional tales, or whatever the case may be, consider using these tips to increase their understanding of the text. 

 

Create Questions Before Reading the Material

Before reading the text, the child should have at least an idea of the material. This will help the reader create questions about the text that they will then seek answers to while reading. 

 

For example, a fictional story such as Charlotte’s Web might have a child asking these questions.

 

● Who is Charlotte?

● Where is the setting for this story?

● Why is Charlotte creating the web?

● Who are the other main characters in this story?

● What is the dilemma or the problem in the story that needs to be fixed?

 

These questions can then be written down on index cards, and the student can write out the answers as they come across their new knowledge. 

 

Closely Read the Headings and Titles

This strategy is beneficial when applying it to textbook reading. Most school textbooks are dry and can be boring if the material is unattractive. By closely reading the headings and titles for each section, it will indicate the main ideas being covered. 

 

Read It Again!

Whether fiction or nonfiction, if a child (or adult) is struggling with comprehending the material, have them reread it repeatedly until they have answers to their questions. Each time they reread it, they should be able to pick up a few more insights about the text. 

 

Eliminate Outside Disturbances

Sometimes it is different from the text that is proving difficult to understand. It is the atmosphere and environment that the person is reading in that makes it tough to comprehend. For instance, if the book is being read in a loud environment with many distractions, it will be hard to understand because the child’s mind will monitor everything around them. Eliminate distractions and find a quiet place to read; your comprehension will grow immensely. 

 

Increase the Background Knowledge on the Subject

If a child is interested in a particular subject, such as Disney characters or cars, their background knowledge will be vast in that specific area, and they will have a much easier time understanding any material associated with it. So if a child is having difficulty understanding the material, find videos or other texts that might interest them more and provide better background knowledge. 

 

There Is Always Help Available!

If your child could use some help with comprehension strategies from a professional, we have plenty of tutors to choose from here at iAchieve. We can work with your kids in person or remotely and help them tackle their problems by understanding specific texts. 

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