Reading is a basic yet essential skill that every student needs to succeed academically and beyond. However, we continually hear from parents concerned about their child’s struggle with comprehension and reading success. From poor vocabulary to weak attention span, these challenges can affect a student’s academic performance and confidence. In this blog post, we will discuss some strategies that can help students overcome the most common reading obstacles.
1. Vocabulary Enhancement: Having a strong vocabulary plays a crucial role in reading comprehension. Students lacking in vocabulary can face difficulty in understanding the meaning of words in context. To help them overcome this hurdle, you can introduce new words and new experiences on a daily or weekly basis. When speaking to your children, even very young children, use challenging vocabulary instead of baby talk, which we think they might understand better. Encourage them to read extensively and to ask questions when they come across unfamiliar words.
2. Reading Aloud: Some students struggle to comprehend written texts because they have difficulty internalizing and articulating the words in their heads. In this case, reading aloud helps build a better understanding of the text. Giving students the opportunity to read out loud at home can improve their enunciation of words, pronunciation, and comprehension of texts. When they vocalize the words they read, it helps them to connect the words with their meaning and comprehend better.
3. Engage Students: Sometimes students may lose interest in reading because they do not find the text engaging. Students who struggle with comprehension may find it easier if reading materials are tailored to their interests. Also, don’t be concerned about the difficulty level of the books. Just encourage them to read! It will improve vocabulary. Using educational apps and videos is also a way to engage students.
4. Chunking Texts: Students can also face reading roadblocks when informational texts are too lengthy or information-dense. In this case, breaking the text into smaller sections or chunks can help students digest the information better. You can break the text into paragraphs, chapters or sections or can encourage students to take breaks during reading. Breaking long texts down in this way allows students to understand the text better without being overwhelmed.
Comprehension problems are not uncommon and can impact student’s academic performance and confidence. You play a significant role in identifying these challenges and providing interventions suitable for each student. The strategies mentioned – Vocabulary Enhancement, Reading Aloud, Engaging Students, and Chunking Texts – are examples of ways to help students overcome reading roadblocks. There may be other challenges that some students are experiencing, but the strategies mentioned can be used as a starting point to help students overcome these challenges and improve their academic performance.
Connected Pick
Spark Reading for Kids
Spark Reading for Kids is an app designed to enhance reading proficiency in children. It features a curated library of short texts, each accompanied by comprehension quizzes, aimed at advancing your child’s reading skills and grade level.
Unplugged Activities
Take a Picture Walk
A “Take a Picture Walk” activity is a reading comprehension strategy that involves previewing a book or text by looking at and discussing the pictures before actually reading the text.
Steps:
- Introduce the Book: Share the title, author, and any relevant background information.
- Show the Cover: Display the cover of the book. Ask them to make predictions about what the story might be about based on the cover.
- Flip Through the Pages: Take them on a “picture walk” by flipping through the pages of the book without reading the text. Encourage them to look closely at the illustrations, photographs, or any visual elements on each page.
- Discuss Observations: As you flip through the pages, engage in a discussion about what they see. Ask open-ended questions such as:
- What do you notice in the pictures?
- What characters do you see?
- Where do you think the story takes place?
- What emotions do the characters show?
- Make Predictions: Based on the pictures, ask them to make predictions about the plot, characters, or events in the story.
- Set a Purpose for Reading: After the picture walk, discuss the purpose of reading the text. What are they curious about, and what do they hope to find out as they read?
- Read the Text: Finally, read the text and encourage them to compare their predictions with the actual content. Discuss any surprises or new information they discover.
This activity helps activate students’ prior knowledge, build anticipation, and provide a context for reading, which can enhance comprehension. It’s a great way to make the reading experience more interactive and engaging. Click here to see a short video to help you get started!