The Role of Parents in Building Comprehension Skills

As a parent, you play a crucial role in your child’s literacy development. Beyond just helping them learn to read, you can help them build strong comprehension skills that will serve them throughout their education and beyond. Here’s how to be an active participant in your child’s reading journey.

Be a Reading Role Model

• Let your child see you reading. Whether it’s books, magazines, or newspapers, showing that you value reading sets a powerful example.

Engage in Conversations About Books

• After reading a book together, have a conversation about it. Ask your child what they thought about the story, the characters, and the ending. Discussing books helps deepen comprehension and encourages critical thinking.

Read Aloud Together

• Reading aloud isn’t just for young children. Even older kids benefit from hearing stories read aloud, as it helps with comprehension and exposes them to more complex language and ideas.

Encourage Questioning

• Encourage your child to ask questions while they read. If they’re confused or curious about something in the story, discuss it together. This promotes active reading and better understanding.

Use Real-Life Connections

• Relate the stories you read to real-life situations. This helps children see the relevance of what they’re reading and improves their ability to make connections and draw inferences.

Example Comprehension Questions:

• “What do you think was the main message of the story?”
• “Can you think of a time when you felt like the character did?”
• “Why do you think the author chose to end the story that way?”

As a parent, you have the opportunity to nurture your child’s reading comprehension skills in meaningful ways. By being involved in their reading journey and encouraging thoughtful discussions, you’re helping them develop a deeper understanding of what they read and preparing them for lifelong success.