Reading with your child is one of the best things you can do to help them in school.  This time together allows them to practice strategies learned at school and helps them develop confidence as readers.  It is also a wonderful way for you to spend some quality contact time with your child after a long, hectic day.  Grab a pillow and a blanket, snuggle in, and start reading!

Long after children can sound out all the words on the page, they may still have problems understanding what they read.  Here are some steps you can follow to help your child better comprehend what he or she is reading in a story or an assignment in a textbook:

1. Get Ready.  Before your child reads a word, take a few minutes to look through the story or chapter.  Ask some questions.  “What do you think this reading will be about?”  Have your child look at the pictures, if there are any.  What ideas does your child have after looking at these pictures?
2. Scan the reading quickly.  See if there are any words that may be hard to pronounce.  Point out these words.  Tell your child what they mean.
3. Take a look at the questions at the end of the story or chapter, if there are any.  They will help guide your child’s reading.
4. Read the story or chapter.  Your child might read it silently, then later read it aloud to you.  (Don’t ask your child to read the text aloud until she’s had a chance to read it silently first.)
5. Ask some questions about the reading.  See if your child can tell you the main idea of what she read.
6. Ask your child to read the questions at the end of the selection aloud.  Then have her restate each question in her own words.
7. Ask your child to answer a question.  If she can’t, pick out one or two key words in the question.  Then look back through the reading to find the place in the text that includes those words.  Have your child read that part aloud.
8. Choose the right books for your child.  When children have the “right” books, reading can become a lifelong hobby.  Here’s how to choose the most appealing stories:

• Consider your child’s interests.  Look for books that match his interests and his personality traits.
• Notice whether the book cover indicates its target age or grade level.
• Don’t hesitate to choose a book that is a little beyond your child’s abilities.  You can read it to her now.   She can read it by herself later on.
• Don’t force your child to read classics.  Some children find contemporary books more appealing.  Classics may work best if you read them aloud as a family.
• Look for strong story lines and well-developed characters.
• Notice the words used.  Most should be familiar to your child.  Some can be challenging.

Happy Reading

Scott J. Blake