Subskills of Reading Comprehension

 

            Here are some skills that combine to produce good reading comprehension in a young reader. Naturally, it's pointless to be able to decode text quickly and accurately if you don't understand the gist of what that text means. The whole point to reading is comprehension. And there are simple ways to help build that essential skill in your child.

 

            You might want to have your child read aloud a short, simple book to you, or read it yourself to a younger child, and go through these seven skills at the bottom of each page.

 

            You could ask your child to describe the "picture" in his or her mind that was painted by the words on that page, and summarize it. Your child could connect that picture to the one created by the page before, or to other situations and stories. Ask a question or two about details or action on that page. Ask your child to predict what might happen on the next page. Encourage your child to look again at the page and illustration, if any, and double-check its content to make sure he or she is clear on details such as numbers, colors, characterizations or who said what. Last, but not least, if your child has trouble with any of these, or doesn't seem to be "getting it," slow down the pace of the reading; on the other hand, if your child is sailing through and seems to understand the storyline well, you can speed things up to avoid boredom.

 

            Here they are:

 

            1. Visualize
            2. Summarize
            3. Make connections
            4. Ask questions
            5. Predict
            6. Monitor and clarify
            7. Monitor and adjust reading speed