We keep repeating that reading is important and that it expands our horizons, but it’s only by understanding what we read that we can truly reap its benefits. However, reading comprehension is a problematic skill for many students. Here are some strategies to help your child and to ensure they retain information when reading.
Before Reading
They say you should always warm up before exercising. Well, the same applies when exercising your brain! Indeed, before starting to read, it’s good for your child to have a first look at the text. During this stage, which is called pre-reading, it’s time for them to:
- Discover the context of what they’re about to read.
- Skim through the text.
- Make predictions on what the text will be about.
Pre-reading is important because it allows to get your child’s brain going and gets them to identify the elements to keep in mind while reading. Knowing this ahead of time promotes better retention of information. Pre-reading also piques your child’s curiosity and makes them want to read.
While Reading
Once your child is warmed up, it’s time to jump into the text. For a better understanding, it’s always a good idea to have them do two readings.
The first reading is to take in the information and to form an initial interpretation of the text. Don’t worry, it’s normal if your child doesn’t understand everything after the first reading. Things will become clearer in the next step.
The second reading is to address what may have been misunderstood. It’s more technical than the first reading since it aims to analyze different parts of the text. Here are some things to consider during this stage:
- Look up difficult words in the dictionary (Tip: write a synonym above the word or in the margin of the text).
- Identify words that are often repeated.
- Identify the topic of each paragraph (headings are usually good hints).
- Underline the text’s structure.
(Ex.
- Introduction – body – conclusion
- Exposition – rising action – climax – falling action – resolution)
Since there are many things to focus on, it’s possible that the second reading must be done several times. What’s important is to make sure that everything is clear. Understanding grammar structures can also improve comprehension, especially when dealing with irregular verbs in English or identifying key elements like nouns in a sentence.
After Reading
Finally, when we’re done reading and our mind is well exercised, a way to decompress is by reflecting on the text. This is the time for your child to form his or her final interpretation of the text. You can ask them a few questions such as
- What did this reading make you think of? Can you relate it to anything else?
- What did you like/dislike about the text?
- What words did you learn? What knowledge did you gain?
This post reading step allows your child to put the text into perspective by linking it to their other learnings. By questioning what they have read, they can better memorize the key elements that emerge from the text. Exploring other grammar concepts, such as distributive pronouns examples, can also reinforce overall language understanding.
In short, effective reading does not mean reading at the speed of light but reading to understand! Above all, it’s about taking your time and respecting your abilities.
Reading difficulties? Get a tutor!
It’s important to address reading comprehension difficulties as soon as they arise. They can have repercussions not only in English, but also in other subjects (like math when solving problems). Using English tutoring can help to quickly overcome these challenges since a tutor provides your child with reading strategies specific to their needs. You can explore resources from experienced English tutors for personalized support.
If you think your child could use a tutor, apply now by filling out our form!