Stepping Stones Together provides valuable tips to improve reading comprehension skills for young readers.
Children in the US consistently score lower than other nations in the area of reading comprehension. Understanding what we read is part of a complete literacy program. This process should begin when we learn to read.
GLENCOE, IL, September 17, 2010
Early exposure to reading comprehension questions and awareness of story details strengthens a child's ability to process what they read. Children become better readers as they practice making connections with what they read. A child does not automatically apply personal experiences and connect to prior knowledge when reading. The more a child practices reading comprehension skills the better prepared they will be to digest more complex subject matter with understanding.Reading discussions during the preschool years and beyond hone a child's active reading skills.
It is essential to consistently use reading comprehension questions when reading any text. They act as a powerful guide to assist a child with understanding what they read.
Additionally, children need a balanced reading program combining reading, understanding/reflecting, and writing about ideas from one's own point of view in order to be prepared to compete globally and excel in reading comprehension. We cannot expect children to naturally develop literacy skills without ample opportunities to practice using a complete literacy program.
The 6 questions below will shape a child's beginning reading comprehension skills.
1. What was this story about? What was the main idea or main point of this story? (Main Idea/Summarization)
2. Who were the characters in the story? Who were the main characters? Who were the minor characters? How do you know they were minor or major? (Characters)
3. Where did this story take place? What was the setting of the story? How do you know? (Setting/Place)
4. What was the author's purpose in writing this story? If there was a problem was it solved? (Problem/Author's purpose)
5. What would you change about this story to make it better? Why? (Critical thinking)
6. What would you add to this story? Why (Critical thinking)
Stepping Stones Together is an online and printable beginning reading program designed to empower parents with the resources to motivate and teach their child to read and become a lifelong learner.