How Parents Can Help Kids Become Smarter Readers

Many parents are assured by the speed and accuracy of the reading process demonstrated by their children; never suspecting that the child understands little of what he/she is reading. Just because a child reads rapidly does not mean there is reading comprehension.

In today’s educational soup of assessing and testing, it is no longer enough for students to be able to read fluently; they must also understand what they are reading. Some essay writer websites provide reading activities and handouts to simplify the learning process. Before a child starts any book, make sure it is read by the parent first. Think about the details of the story, and what the author is trying to relate, to help the child become a smarter reader.

Build a Foundation for Reading Comprehension

Build prior knowledge. Ask the child questions about personal experiences that relate to the story. For example, if the story is about a puppy getting adopted, remind him/her of a previous trip to the animal shelter to pick out a pet.

Before the child starts reading, do a Picture Walk with him/her. This means that the parent:

• Asks questions about the cover art, for example, “What do you see on the cover? Who do you think is in the story?”
• Discusses the pictures in the story, for example, “What is the dog doing at the store? What does he have in his shopping cart?” from the beginning to the end
• Determines genre, for example, “What type of writing is this? Poetry? A science article? A fantasy? Realistic fiction?”
• Talks about characters, for example, “Who is in the story?”
• Discusses the setting, for example, “Where does the story take place?”

Parents can also set a purpose for reading. Ask questions like:

• “Is this part of the story to give information?”
• “Are you comparing something?”
• “What do you want to find out?”
• “What do you think the character will do?”

Not only will this help the child develop reading comprehension skills; it will also build the higher-order thinking skills essential for educational success.

Take Time to Check Reading Comprehension

As the child reads, stop at logical breaks in the story (every 2 to 3 pages) to check comprehension. Review unfamiliar vocabulary, using a children’s dictionary, if needed. It can help parents prepare their children for school. Ask questions about:

• Details – “How do people celebrate Chinese New Year?”
• Inference – Reaching a conclusion based on specific evidence, for example, “Why is the 4th of July called America’s birthday?”
• Characters – “What does the boy do? Why do you think he does that?”
• Comparison – “How is Kwanzaa like Christmas?”
• Cause/Effect – “How does camouflage help the moth?”
• Remember cause and effect shows how one event causes another event to happen. Effect tells what happens. Cause tells why it happens. Talk it over.
• Personal response – ask questions about how the story relates to them personally, for example, “What do you do to celebrate the new year?”
• Comparison – “How is the new year in America different than the new year in China?”
• Opinion – “Do you think being truthful is important? Why or why not?”

After the child has finished, ask him/her to retell the story in his/her own words. This will provide a clearer picture of the child’s reading comprehension.

Build Content Connections

Don’t just focus on reading skills. Develop vocabulary skills by discussing unfamiliar words, and develop research skills and teach to read by using a dictionary. Tie in social studies by discussing events in the story. Incorporate math by having children count items on the pages, or by discussing chronological events. Bring in Science by pointing out natural events, such as weather.

To incorporate art, have the child draw a picture showing something from the story, such as his/her favorite part. This will also show comprehension in less verbal readers, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) students.

By developing reading comprehension skills in students, parents can help kids become smarter readers, and ensure academic success.