5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Child’s Reading Comprehension
Many children can read the words on a page but struggle to understand what they mean. Comprehension is about making sense of text — connecting ideas, asking questions, and thinking deeply. You don’t need teaching experience to help. A few simple strategies can make reading clearer and more meaningful at home.
1. Ask Questions Before, During, and After Reading
Questions help children think about the text rather than read passively.
Try:
“What do you think this will be about?”
“Why did the character do that?”
“What changed by the end?”
These prompts build prediction, reasoning, and reflection.
2. Focus on the Main Idea
Instead of retelling every detail, encourage your child to identify what the text is mostly about.
Ask: “How would you summarize this in one or two sentences?”
This strengthens the ability to determine what is essential.
3. Model Inferences
Show your child how to “read between the lines.”
“The sky is gray, so it probably rained.”
Then ask them to find clues in the story that help them draw similar conclusions.
4. Make Reading a Conversation
Keep the tone relaxed and natural. Share your own thinking using simple stems:
“I noticed…”
“This reminds me of…”
“I was surprised when…”
This makes reading feel meaningful rather than like a quiz.
5. Use Everyday Reading
Comprehension grows during real-life reading too — recipes, directions, signs, and instructions.
Ask your child to explain steps or predict what will happen next. These small moments reinforce understanding.
Supporting reading comprehension doesn’t require specialized training. A little conversation, modeling, and real-world practice can help your child become a stronger, more confident reader.
If you’d like more tools and guidance, our Parent Literacy Workshop offers practical strategies and a Take-Home Toolkit you can use immediately.