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| Promoting Reading Comprehension in Older Children and Teenagers by Michael F. Mascolo, Ph.D. |
Reading is not simply a matter of looking at the words. Reading is about comprehension. We often think that once a child knows
how to read words, he can read! We forget that reading for meaning is itself a skill that must be learned. Children need to learn how
to organize their reading, how to identify main points and supporting ideas, how to link storied events over time, etc. Here are some
tips to help you help your older child read for meaning and comprehension.
1. Read many different types of literature.
It may sound silly, but the best way to learn to read is to read. Not all reading is the same! Mysteries, short stories, novels, essays,
recipes, directions, mathematical word problems, textbooks differ from each other! The more your child reads, the easier it will be for
her to understand how different types of reading materials are structured.
2. Understand that each genre of reading has a different structure.
Teach your child what to look for when reading different types of material. For example, stories are organized over time with a
beginning, middle and end. Essays are organized in terms of main points and supporting ideas.
3. Learn the PQ4R technique. PQ4R is an acronym that stands for:
4. Encourage your child to check his or her understanding of a reading with someone who has read and understands the reading.
A child can learn to monitor his own understanding of what he is reading. However, unless he talks about the text with someone who
knows and understands it, he can never be sure that his understanding is fully adequate. Teach your child the importance of checking
with others.
5. Encourage your child to write down questions about what he understands and does not understand about a reading.
A great scholar once said: “I write in order to find out what I am thinking.” Writing is a process that helps us to organize our
thoughts. When your child writes about what she reads, she will gain a deeper understanding of it.
6. Talk to your child about what she reads.
Ask your child questions that “go beyond the information given”. Ask her about what seems interesting, plausible or implausible,
expected or unexpected, or related to her own personal experience. Ask your child to compare what she has learned from different
readings, or to compare different stories. Share your opinions about what your child has read.
how to read words, he can read! We forget that reading for meaning is itself a skill that must be learned. Children need to learn how
to organize their reading, how to identify main points and supporting ideas, how to link storied events over time, etc. Here are some
tips to help you help your older child read for meaning and comprehension.
1. Read many different types of literature.
It may sound silly, but the best way to learn to read is to read. Not all reading is the same! Mysteries, short stories, novels, essays,
recipes, directions, mathematical word problems, textbooks differ from each other! The more your child reads, the easier it will be for
her to understand how different types of reading materials are structured.
2. Understand that each genre of reading has a different structure.
Teach your child what to look for when reading different types of material. For example, stories are organized over time with a
beginning, middle and end. Essays are organized in terms of main points and supporting ideas.
3. Learn the PQ4R technique. PQ4R is an acronym that stands for:
• Preview the material to be read. Read headings, subheadings, bolded terms, questions and summaries
(if provided).
• Question: Ask yourself questions about what you think the reading will contain. Turn headings into
questions that you can use to guide your search for meaning.
• Read the text, keeping your questions in mind.
• Reflect upon the reading. What are the main points of the reading? How has the reading answered your
questions? Keep asking yourself: Do I understand what I’m reading? Do I understand how one point follows
from the next? If not, go back and re-read.
• Recite a summary of what you have read. Work hard to connect the main ideas of the reading.
• Review everything that you have done. Answer the questions that you have asked. Review your
summary. Re-read what you did not understand.
4. Encourage your child to check his or her understanding of a reading with someone who has read and understands the reading.
A child can learn to monitor his own understanding of what he is reading. However, unless he talks about the text with someone who
knows and understands it, he can never be sure that his understanding is fully adequate. Teach your child the importance of checking
with others.
5. Encourage your child to write down questions about what he understands and does not understand about a reading.
A great scholar once said: “I write in order to find out what I am thinking.” Writing is a process that helps us to organize our
thoughts. When your child writes about what she reads, she will gain a deeper understanding of it.
6. Talk to your child about what she reads.
Ask your child questions that “go beyond the information given”. Ask her about what seems interesting, plausible or implausible,
expected or unexpected, or related to her own personal experience. Ask your child to compare what she has learned from different
readings, or to compare different stories. Share your opinions about what your child has read.