How to Nurture Comprehension in Young Readers

In the world of childhood development, there exists a powerful tool that holds the key to unlocking comprehension—books. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, reading to children and asking thoughtful questions is a perfect way to foster comprehension growth in your learner. Here are three tips to help boost your learner’s comprehension today!

Tip 1: Read a Wide Range of Engaging Books

Let’s face it, we all have preferences, and children are no different. While we all tend to gravitate toward certain genres, trying to read a wide range of books is a great way to supercharge your learner’s comprehension development. Of course, you don’t want to ever force a child to read something they are really not liking, but with a little effort, you can find engaging books from a wide range of genres. Why is reading a wide range of books helpful? It is a great way to expose your child to a more diverse language and ideas, building both their vocabulary and background knowledge–two sources of knowledge that are foundational for comprehension.

Tip 2: Ask Thoughtful Questions

Let’s add a layer of interaction to the reading experience. Asking thoughtful questions, especially open-ended ones, invites children to actively engage with the story. Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes/no” response, encourage your learners to share their thoughts, predictions, and feelings about the story. This not only enhances reading comprehension but also nurtures critical thinking skills. Download my free tip sheet that outlines powerful question types to ask.

Tip 3: Explore Beyond the Story

The learning doesn’t have to stop when the book comes to an end. Engage in post-reading discussions that delve into the themes, characters, and lessons of the story. Encourage your learner to summarize the story and tell you the main idea. Ask questions like, “What was your favorite part and why?” or “Compare and contrast how the main character felt at the beginning of the story with how they felt at the end.” These conversations not only develop reading comprehension but also strengthen communication skills.

Conclusion

In the hands of skillful teachers and parents, books become more than just vessels of stories; they become catalysts for reading comprehension skill growth. Try implementing any of these three tips today and you’ll not only be enjoying a story with your child, but fostering their skills to comprehend, imagine, and articulate their thoughts—a gift that resonates far beyond the pages of a book.