Ways To Improve Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is a learned skill. As children advance in school and their reading level increases, comprehension can sometimes be a struggle. This is especially true in large classroom settings where children may not get as much individualized attention that they need.
Parents who are concerned about their children’s reading comprehension skills can help them improve their skills at home. There are several simple things that you can do that will significantly improve their reading comprehension skills.
Eliminate Distractions
One of the biggest problems that people have with reading comprehension is distractions. Even the most advanced level reader will not retain or understand what they have just read if they are distracted.
When your child is reading or doing homework, make sure that all distractions are eliminated. Turn off the TV, shut down the computer, and put the smartphone on silent. This will help your child focus on reading.
Read Out Loud
Have your child read to you out loud, even if it is their homework. Reading out loud will cause your child to concentrate harder on what they are reading. This will help increase comprehension skills and word pronunciation.
Reading out loud will also help you see where your child is struggling. It may be with certain words or concepts. Reading aloud is a great way to start a conversation about what is being read to make it easier for your child to understand what they read.
Sectionalize Reading
Long passages of reading can be overwhelming for anyone. If your child has a lot of reading to do, break it up into sections so that they can take the reading a little at a time.
When you do this, you also have an opportunity to discuss what they just read in the section. By talking about each section, they will retain more of the information they read. When you understand what you currently have read, it will be easier to understand what you read next.
Learn To Love The Dictionary
The dictionary can be one of the most useful tools your child has when reading comprehension. Teach your child how to look up words in the dictionary so that they can know exactly what the word means.
As a bonus, the dictionary also shows how words are pronounced, different means for the word when used in different sentences, and what type of word it is, such as noun, verb, or adjective. This will help them as they progress in school and start studying the components of English.
Have Your Child Work A Reading Tutor
There are many benefits to having your child work with a reading comprehension tutor. By dedicating just a few hours a week with a tutor, your child will significantly improve their reading skills and comprehension.
A reading tutor has the ability to teach like a teacher but gives individualized attention like a parent. It is a great combination for children of any age that need to improve their reading skills.
