Reading comprehension may sound like an educational phrase tossed around heavily in the younger school-age years, but it is actually a skill that trickles into so many important aspects throughout all of life. Mastering it can mean higher success not only in the formative academic years, but also in a future career and in social settings. Being a strong reader can spark motivation to read more (and not just for school). It can also an equate to deciphering important, life-changing data and making informed decisions as an adult.
If your child struggles to concentrate on reading, misses instructions, has regular difficulty decoding words, is stuck on math word problems, or isn't a strong writer, it is worth asking if they may benefit from more time strengthening their reading comprehension skills.
Recognition that your student may need skill building in this area is a critical first step. It's also important to note that needing help is nothing to be ashamed of! With the right support and strategies in place, your child can build their confidence and reading skills that will set them up for a lifetime of success.
A few tips to try when working on reading comprehension:
Read aloud in a distraction free environment if possible.
Slow down the pace if needed. Some studies suggest reading a level lower than needed to really understand content first before moving on to harder books or subjects.
Decipher missed concepts by narrowing down to the specific confusing passages. Have your student reread that section. Ask questions to try to help grasp what they are missing -- What happened before this section? What happened after that section? Look for context clues. Is this a lack of text understanding or is the vocabulary particularly difficult?
Try asking your student questions throughout their read. This is especially great to practice when there is not collaborating homework to a reading assignment too. With practice your student can form a habit of doing this on their own every time they are reading. Simple example questions: What can we tell about the main character this far? Has the setting changed? How could we summarize this story so far?
For visual learners, encourage them to try drawing diagrams or story maps after a read.
When your child is finished their reading and collaborating assignments, review some main points again -- theme, major events, setting changes, characters and common ideas. This process can help them remember what they are reading.
Build vocabulary by practicing new words every chance you can. Driving down the road you can make a silly game quizzing them on new vocabulary. Or talk through daily situations to help them use different descriptors. For example, ask them: How would you describe the vibe at this restaurant? Can you convince me to buy you this concert T-shirt with your best and most descriptive sentence?
When it's an option, let them pick the content. This encourages that enjoyment of reading time.
Practice! A little practice every day can make a HUGE difference over time and keeps those skills fresh after a tutoring session.
Consistent, one-on-one time with their tutor each week focused on strategies that work for your student can help them make tremendous progress.
If your student needs additional support with their reading understanding, or any other academic skills or subjects, we are here to help!
Comments