When you read with your child, you can help him understand the book by discussing the story and the pictures.  Here are three strategies that will boost his reading comprehension and help him enjoy reading more.

Build Background Knowledge

Say your youngster is reading about a boy who lives in a city.  If your home is in a rural area, he may not be familiar with taxis, high-rise apartments, or busy streets.  You can prepare him to understand the book before you read by flipping through the pages and pointing out these things in the pictures.

Predict What's Next

Your child can use clues in a book to help him predict what's coming.  For example, he might say, "I think the little girl is going to a party."  Ask him why he thinks that ("She's holding a present.").  He'll learn to ready carefully for details that will help him imagine what will happen next.

"See" The Action

Good readers picture story events in their minds.  Try reading a book to your youngster without showing him the illustrations.  Have him describe what a character or place looks like.  You can help him by repeating information from the book:  "It says a storm is coming.  What do you think the sky looks like?"  Then, show him the illustrations to see if they're similar to what he pictured.

©Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc.

A Language Rich Home

Good news:  Strong language skills can make your youngster a better reader, writer, and all-around student.  Great news:  You can build those skills just by talking to your child.  Here's how:

Narrate everyday activities like driving or cooking.  Hearing new words in conversation will help your youngster understand words in books ("Please hand me the colander so I can drain the spaghetti.") Tip:  If she doesn't know the word, explain: "This is a colander.  Water drains through the holes."

Encourage your child to join family conversations.  Ask her questions to help her expand on her answers.  ("Why do you think so?" "What else happened?")  She will learn to talk about events and give her opinions.

©Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc.

Book Picks

Little Miss Giggles

Little Miss Giggles laughs while she eats, while she brushes her teeth, and even while she sleeps!  Then one day, she loses her giggle.  Can Mr. Happy make her laugh again?  Part of the classic Mr. Men and Little Miss series by Roger Hargreaves.

I Love Our Earth

What does your child love about the earth?  Maybe he likes spring blossoms, autumn leaves, or sunsets.  This book by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson combines simple words and photographs to show the wonders of nature.

The Bat Boy and His Violin

Reginald dreams of being a violinist.  But his father, a manager in the Negro National League of the 1940s, needs a bat boy for his struggling team.  When Reginald starts playing his violin between innings, the team's luck seems to change.  An inspiring read-aloud by Gavin Curtis.

Lucky: A Dog's Best Friend

In this story by Gus Clark, Lucky and the other dogs in the pound organize a plan to get their friend Bernard adopted.  The scheme works, and Lucky says good-bye to his friend.  Will Lucky find a new owner, too?  (Also available in Spanish.)

©Resources for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc.

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