Can Brain Training Help with Reading Comprehension?

Reading is one of the cornerstones of learning—so when kids, teens, or adults struggle with this skill, it can have an impact on overall learning and thinking skills, too. It’s one thing to be able to read the words on a page. However, understanding them and storing them requires a complex set of additional skills. If your learner is having a tough time with reading comprehension, can brain training help them? 

At LearningRx, we offer reading help programs for all ages and skill levels, as well as programs for those with learning differences, like dyslexia and ADHD. Although each brain training program is personalized to the unique needs and abilities of each learner, our reading programs can be broken into two categories: help with reading skills and help with reading comprehension. 

You may be wondering about the distinction between core reading skills and comprehension skills. How do they differ? And what can brain training do to offer meaningful support? Today, we’ll explore these answers in greater detail. 

How Brain Training Can Target Reading Comprehension Skills

Understanding Reading Comprehension 

We think of reading as one broad skill—but in reality, it’s a process that leverages many complex and overlapping cognitive skills. Core reading skills allow a learner to sound out words and read sentences effectively, but comprehension requires another set of skills: 

• Identifying and retaining key concepts. When reading, we’re constantly filtering out paragraphs of words into key ideas. Retaining and recalling these key concepts are what allow us to follow complex ideas, plot lines, and arguments.   
• Understanding techniques. Many texts draw on all kinds of techniques to make their point—description, comparing and contrasting situations, and more. As a reader, it’s important to be aware of these techniques, to better understand the point being made by the text. 
• Thinking critically. Reading encourages critical thinking skills—and without these skills, it can be harder to comprehend a story or text. Readers must use their own logic and reasoning skills to assess a narrative or idea, for deeper and more meaningful reading. 

These are just some of the abilities involved in reading comprehension. The simplest way to think about it is: core reading skills allow a learner to read what’s on the page, while comprehension allows them to understand the ideas within the text. 

How Does Brain Training Help? 

So, how can brain training programs help with reading comprehension? 

At LearningRx, we know that comprehension challenges can stem from different sources. A learner may struggle to stay focused, or they may have difficulty retaining crucial details. They may be able to read, but they may struggle with reading accurately or quickly, or they may have difficulty with more complex vocabulary words. 

That’s why we get to know each learner before we build out their brain training program. It means we can assess their strengths as well as those cognitive skills which could benefit from training. We’ll then tailor their reading comprehension program with this information in mind. 

Each brain training program is packed with drills, games, and exercises to help learners practice and hone their cognitive skills. In every session, learners work one-on-one with a dedicated brain trainer, getting immediate feedback and encouragement along the way. It’s a great chance for students of all ages to embrace new challenges and work on building skillsets like reading comprehension. 

Explore Our Reading Programs for All Ages 

At LearningRx, we know that reading comprehension challenges can come at any age. That’s why we offer brain training programs for kids, teens, and adults! We know that with regular, dedicated training and practice, anyone can tap into new skills and abilities. 

Plus, our approach can be especially transformative for those who haven’t had success with tutoring, or those who struggle with cognitive differences like ADHD. With a dynamic and hands-on approach, we’re dedicated to helping every student get excited about learning and reading. If you’re interested in how brain training can help with reading comprehension, explore our ComprehendRx^® programs. Or, you can always contact LearningRx at 866-BRAIN-01 today.