What is Meant by Comprehension in English?
Reading is divided into two skills in the National Curriculum: word reading and comprehension. Recognising words on a paper or screen is referred to as word reading. Phonics is frequently employed in English primary schools to assist youngsters with this aspect of reading. But that's just half the story; a child must be able to interpret the words in order to comprehend what they're reading. This is referred to as understanding.
The National Curriculum emphasises comprehension, which is examined in both the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs (Statutory Assessment Test).
The capacity to read a text and comprehend its content is known as reading comprehension.
Comprehension at School
Throughout primary school, your child will learn about reading comprehension as part of learning to read. From Year 2 onwards, the focus will most likely shift away from phonics and towards comprehension as your child gains confidence with word reading.
Reading Comprehension
How to Help at Home?
You may assist your child with comprehension in a variety of methods that are both simple and effective. Here are a few ideas.
1. Read with your child
Reading with your child will encourage them to enjoy reading, improve their comprehension skills, and develop their own confidence as readers.
Children gain from listening to novels, they can't read yet because they will see and hear innovative language and concepts that they might not have come across in their independent reading. Non-fiction books about topics they care about, as well as longer stories, are excellent for broadening your child's reading horizons.
2. Talk about books, stories, words, and pictures
Asking your child questions about what they're reading can encourage them to think about what they're reading. Ask open-ended questions that begin with the words "how" and "why." Examine the text and illustrations to see if your child can explain how they know the answer.
Early reading abilities are developed by discussing what is happening in a picture, what the characters might be thinking, and what might happen next.
3. Read for a purpose
Your child will most likely need to read for certain objectives as they become older, in addition to reading for pleasure. They read for information, to learn something new, or to discover answers to questions. Practising this can help you succeed in school (not to mention later life).
Your child might be asked to research a topic or find solutions to class questions. You can aid their research abilities by discussing where to go for answers; however, you may need to remind them to look in books and utilise the library in addition to the internet.
Because children are prone to information overload, they will most likely require your assistance in 'searching and sifting' both sites and information in order to make decisions.
4. Decrease subvocalization
When youngsters first start to read, they speak the words softly or whisper them. They read silently at the next level but move their lips as though pronouncing each word. We say the words in our heads as adults, which is known as "subvocalization." Subvocalization, on the other hand, does not assist us to read quicker because we can only talk as fast as we speak.
Take a 50-word-per-minute speaking and reading pace as an example. So, in order to read faster, we must mute that inner voice. How? While reading, listening to music can help. It will affect your comprehension at first. However, you'll soon find that your concentration has improved. Surprisingly, the music that had previously distracted you will now assist you in focusing and learning more quickly.
5. Read a group of words
Beginning with linking syllables, children learn to read. Later, they put words together to form sentences. We frequently come to a halt there. There is, however, a higher level of comprehension: absorbing large groupings of words at once. To get started, follow these steps: With a pencil, split the page into three columns, each with two to four words in a row.
Try reading them all at once, jumping from one column to the next. It's not as difficult as you may believe. You won't need the columns after you get the hang of it. We usually apply the same rule that we used to understand words. We don't read every letter, but we understand the entire phrase. Instead of reading individual words, you are now reading groups of words at the same time.
FAQs on Reading Comprehension: Simple Activities for Kids
1. What is reading comprehension, and why is it important for young children?
Reading comprehension is the ability to understand the meaning of what you read. For children, it's not just about recognising words, but about grasping the story, characters, and ideas. It is a crucial skill because it forms the foundation for all future learning, enhances vocabulary, and develops critical thinking skills from an early age.
2. What are some simple and fun activities to improve reading comprehension in kids?
You can make comprehension practice enjoyable with several simple activities. Try these:
Read Aloud Together: Take turns reading pages from a storybook to build fluency and engagement.
Ask "Wh-" Questions: After reading, ask who, what, where, when, and why questions about the story.
Picture Talk: Use picture books and ask your child to describe what is happening in the illustrations.
Story Sequencing: Jumble up pictures or simple sentences from a story and have your child put them in the correct order.
Predict the End: Pause before the story ends and ask your child to guess what will happen next.
Vedantu offers more ideas for fun reading for kids to make learning interactive.
3. How can I know if my child is truly understanding a story?
Look for signs beyond just answering basic questions. A child who truly understands a story can:
Retell the story in their own words, not just repeat your sentences.
Talk about the characters' feelings and motivations.
Connect the story to their own experiences (e.g., "That's like when we went to the park!").
Ask their own questions about the story, showing curiosity and genuine engagement.
4. What role does picture comprehension play in building early reading skills?
An introduction of picture comprehension is a vital first step for young learners. It allows children who are not yet fluent readers to practice comprehension skills by interpreting visual information. They learn to observe details, infer actions, and understand a sequence of events, which are the same skills they will later apply to written text.
5. How does asking questions before, during, and after reading enhance a child's understanding?
This strategy actively engages a child's mind throughout the entire reading process, making it more effective.
Before Reading: Asking "What do you think this story is about?" activates prior knowledge and sets a purpose for reading.
During Reading: Questions like "What might happen next?" encourage active thinking and prediction skills.
After Reading: Discussing the main idea, characters, and sequence helps solidify their understanding and encourages reflection.
6. My child can read words perfectly but struggles to answer questions about the passage. What should I do?
This is a common challenge that often means the child is focused on decoding (sounding out words) rather than making meaning. To help, you can:
Choose simpler texts so they can focus more on the story's meaning.
Read the story aloud to them first, so they know the plot before they try reading it themselves.
Model thinking aloud by saying, "Hmm, I wonder why the character did that..." to show them how to think about a story as you read.
7. What kind of books or passages are best for beginners to practice comprehension?
For beginners, the best materials are those with:
Simple, repetitive text and predictable plots.
Clear illustrations that closely match the story.
Topics that are interesting and relatable to the child's life, such as animals, family, or school.
A small number of characters and a straightforward sequence of events.
You can find suitable materials in resources for Comprehension for Class 1.
