Reading Comprehension: Strategies for Parents to Help Their Child Understand What They’re Reading

reading comprehension strategies for parents

Reading comprehension is an essential skill that enables children to understand and interpret written texts. However, some children may struggle with this skill, which can affect their academic performance and confidence. As a parent, there are several strategies you can use to help your child improve their reading comprehension.

 

Encourage active reading: Active reading involves engaging with the text actively, such as by highlighting or underlining important information, taking notes, or asking questions about the text. Encourage your child to actively read and engage with the text while they read.

 

Build vocabulary: A strong vocabulary is critical for reading comprehension. Introduce new words to your child and encourage them to use these words in their daily conversations.

 

Practice predicting: Encourage your child to make predictions about what might happen next in the story, based on the information they have already read.

 

Monitor understanding: Encourage your child to check their understanding of the text frequently. If they come across a word they do not understand or if they feel confused, encourage them to pause and clarify their understanding before moving on.

 

Summarize the text: Encourage your child to summarize what they have read in their own words. This can help them to better understand the text and remember important information.

 

Use graphic organizers: Graphic organizers such as Venn diagrams, flowcharts, and mind maps can be helpful tools to organize and summarize information.

 

Read aloud: Reading aloud can be an effective way to improve reading comprehension. Encourage your child to read aloud, or you can read to them, and discuss the text together.

 

Make connections: Encourage your child to make connections between the text and their own experiences or prior knowledge. This can help them to better understand the text and remember important information.

 

Use visual aids: Visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and videos can help children to better understand the text and visualize what is happening.

 

Practice regularly: Regular practice is essential to improving reading comprehension. Set aside time each day for your child to read and practice the strategies mentioned above.

 

In conclusion, reading comprehension is a critical skill for academic success, and there are several strategies parents can use to help their child improve their reading comprehension. Encouraging active reading, building vocabulary, predicting, monitoring understanding, summarizing the text, using graphic organizers, reading aloud, making connections, using visual aids, and practicing regularly are all effective strategies that can help your child become a better reader.