Here are some tips to boost reading comprehension:

  1. When you read popular children's books with your child, ask him questions as he moves through the books: Why did Mr. Smith do that? How do you think Suzy feels?
  2. Help your child make text-to-self connections. Ask her how she feels about a situation in popular children's books or classic children's books or what she would do if she were the character in the books.
  3. Help him make text-to-text connections. Ask him: What other funny bedtime stories about dreams have you read?
  4. Make sure she is reading at her level. A book that is too hard frustrates a child. A book that’s too easy doesn’t challenge her.
  5. Set aside at least 20 minutes to read every day.
  6. Help your child find books that he enjoys. This keeps children motivated.
  7. Make reading more important than TV.
  8. Model reading yourself. Children need to see parents read for fun.
  9. Encourage writing. Have children write about what they have read or keep a daily journal.



Source: Carolyn Evans, Grand Rapids Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan.