One of the biggest challenges all parents face is helping their children develop strong reading comprehension skills. Reading comprehension goes beyond simply decoding words on a page — it’s about understanding the meaning of the text, making connections, and applying critical thinking.
When children struggle with comprehension, they miss out on the joy and knowledge that written words offer. They also face the frustration of not understanding instructions and have a hard time justifying the time and effort spent on reading when they don’t understand or learn from what they’ve read.
The good news? There are practical, effective strategies you can use to strengthen your child’s reading comprehension skills. As an educator and a homeschool parent, witnessing those “aha” moments from our young readers is incredibly rewarding and worth the effort! Let’s dive into nine ways you can help your child become a confident, thoughtful reader.
1. Make Reading Interactive
One of the most effective ways to boost comprehension is to make reading interactive. Asking questions, having discussions, and encouraging your child to think critically about what they read will help them stay engaged and understand the text more deeply. Many homeschool curriculums provide books to be read aloud and discussion prompts. Prioritizing this important resource pays off.
How to make it interactive:
- Ask open-ended questions: “Why do you think the character made that choice?” or “What would you do if you were in their situation?”
- Encourage your child to make predictions about what will happen next.
- Discuss the themes or lessons in the story, relating them to your child’s life.
Why it works:
Interactive reading prompts critical thinking and encourages children to actively engage with the text, making comprehension more natural and enjoyable.
2. Build Vocabulary Through Context
A strong vocabulary is essential for understanding what is read. When children encounter unfamiliar words, it makes comprehending what was read more difficult. Teaching them to use context clues to infer the meaning of new words is a powerful strategy.
How to build vocabulary:
- Stop and discuss new words as you read together.
- Teach them to use resources for looking up word meanings, pronunciation, and parts of speech: a print or electronic dictionary, and the knowledge to use it is invaluable.
- Encourage your child to guess the meaning of a word based on the surrounding text.
Why it works:
When kids understand more words, they can follow the story without getting stuck on unfamiliar language, improving overall comprehension.
3. Use Graphic Organizers to Structure Thoughts
Graphic organizers are visual tools that help children organize their thoughts as they read. They can be especially useful for breaking down complex stories or nonfiction texts.
Examples of graphic organizers:
- Story maps: Help children track characters, settings, problems, and resolutions.
- Sequence charts: Put events in the order they happened in the story
- Venn diagrams: Compare and contrast characters or themes.
Why it works:
Graphic organizers help children see the structure of a story, making it easier to recall details and understand the main ideas.
4. Practice Summarizing and Retelling
Summarizing and retelling stories in their own words is a powerful way to strengthen comprehension. When children can clearly explain what they’ve read, it shows they’ve understood the text.
How to practice:
- After reading a passage, ask your child to retell the story in their own words.
- Use the “Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then” method to help structure summaries.
- Somebody (the character)
- Wanted (what they wanted)
- But (the problem they faced)
- So (how they solved it)
- Then (the outcome)
Why it works:
Retelling encourages kids to process what they’ve read, reinforcing comprehension and helping them retain key information.
5. Encourage a Love of Reading
Kids who enjoy reading are more likely to engage with books and improve their comprehension naturally. When reading feels like a chore, it’s harder for children to focus and absorb the material.
How to foster a love of reading:
- Let your child choose books that interest them, even if they’re slightly below their reading level. Ask them why they like what they’re reading – kids love it when parents are interested!
- Explore a variety of genres, from fiction and nonfiction to graphic novels and poetry.
- Incorporate audiobooks or read-aloud sessions to make reading more enjoyable.
Why it works:
When kids associate reading with positive experiences, they’re more motivated to engage with the text, improving both fluency and comprehension.
6. Teach Critical Thinking Skills
Reading comprehension isn’t just about understanding the words on the page — it’s about interpreting, analyzing, and applying the information. Teaching your child critical thinking skills helps them formulate reasonable opinions and become successful problem-solvers.
How to teach critical thinking:
- Ask your child to make predictions and then reflect on whether they were right.
- Discuss the motivations of characters and their choices.
- Encourage your child to connect the story to their own experiences or other books they’ve read.
Why it works:
Critical thinking helps children move beyond surface-level understanding, allowing them to draw deeper insights from what they read.
7. Incorporate Multisensory Learning Activities
Multisensory learning engages more than one sense at a time, which can help reinforce comprehension skills, especially for children who struggle with traditional reading methods.
Examples of multisensory activities:
- Act out scenes: Encourage your child to role-play characters from the story.
- Create drawings: Have your child illustrate key scenes or events from the book.
- Use tactile tools: Use letter tiles, story cubes, or flashcards to reinforce key concepts.
Why it works:
When children engage multiple senses, they process information more effectively and retain it longer, making comprehension more natural.
8. Consider Online Reading Tutoring
If your child continues to struggle with reading comprehension despite your best efforts, online tutoring can provide the extra support they need. Online tutors are trained to use evidence-based strategies to help kids improve comprehension skills in a personalized, one-on-one, or small class setting.
Benefits of online reading tutoring:
- Personalized instruction: Tutors tailor lessons to your child’s unique needs and reading level.
- Flexible scheduling: Sessions can be easily integrated into your homeschool routine.
- Consistency: Short, frequent sessions a few times per week take the guesswork out of an already busy schedule.
- Accountability: Regular progress tracking keeps children motivated and on track.
Why it works:
Online reading tutoring offers targeted, expert support that reinforces what your child is learning at home, helping them overcome comprehension challenges.
9. Use Real-World Reading Opportunities
Reading comprehension isn’t limited to storybooks. Real-world reading opportunities help children see the practical application of their reading skills, making it more relevant and meaningful. If your child loves math and science, showing them how reading comprehension can improve performance in their favorite subjects can be highly motivating.
Examples of real-world reading:
- Recipes: Ask your child to read and follow a recipe step by step.
- Maps and directions: Practice reading maps or giving directions.
- Shopping lists, menus, billboards/signs: Encourage your child to read lists or restaurant menus aloud and signs or billboards in the car.
- Lego Sets: Reading and following detailed instructions that result in a fun toy they love can be very rewarding!
Why it works:
Real-world reading activities help children see that comprehension is a valuable life skill, boosting their confidence and motivation to keep improving.
Conclusion
Improving reading comprehension in a homeschool setting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve listed a lot of options here, but you don’t need all of them to have a successful outcome! Choose the ones that work best and are enjoyable for you and your family.
As an educator in multiple settings over the years (homeschool parent and co-op teacher included,) I look for what motivates each child. The beauty of homeschooling is the ability to identify that motivation and nurture it. Is your child a gamer? Great! I had a student recently who was extremely excited to connect with his friends inside a gaming platform…”Coach Robin! I’m reading so well I can text with my friends and trade strategies!”)
Remember, it’s not just about getting through the pages — it’s about making connections, thinking critically, and finding joy along the way.
Start small, stay consistent, and celebrate your child’s progress. You’ll be amazed at how much their comprehension improves with your support!