Signs of Weak Reading Comprehension and Ways to Ignite a Love of Reading
Weak reading comprehension can be a burden on students in the classroom. But beyond these concerns in school, if you have low reading comprehension, you are also less likely to enjoy reading and pursue it. While you may think reading comprehension struggles are only linked to poor recall of what was read, there are other signs to be watching for:
Top Signs of Weak Reading Comprehension:
Lack of Recall
This is the most obvious to most of us. If your child reads something and can’t tell you what they read, there is a clear disconnect in their reading comprehension skills. The important question to ask here is “why?” It could be…
- A lack of visualization skills (trouble picturing the story, setting, facts, etc.)
- Trouble reading words automatically. Slow reading and needing to sound out each word gets in the way of overall reading.
- Slow processing speed, which prevents the new input from clicking as quickly as it needs to
- Weak short- and long-term memory. If their mental “bucket” that stores information dumps out too quickly, they will not hold onto what they’re reading long enough to move it to long term memory.
Once you identify the reason for their lack of recall, you can take steps to help strengthen comprehension by targeting that unique area. A cognitive skills assessment is a helpful tool to be able to do this.
Hating or Avoiding Reading
If your child hates reading, avoids it at all costs, or relies on audiobooks or accommodations, it’s a sign that reading comprehension is not happening. Kids who can’t comprehend what they’re reading will grow frustrated and overwhelmed at the thought of needing to read, and often shut down as a result.
Saying Reading is “Boring”
If you’re just staring at a page of words that form no real meaning, of course reading is going to be boring and burdensome. Kids who are bored by reading often do not have the skills to build mental images to make the words come to life. Their weak comprehension skills often get in the way of feeling at home in a story or applying new knowledge to what they already know.
By building reading comprehension skills, many kids are able to discover a love of reading because the stories become more immersive and the information becomes applicable to their lives.
Needing to Re-Read Multiple Times
If you notice your child staying on one page to re-read paragraphs, sentences, or even words multiple times before they stick, it’s a sign of weak reading comprehension. On the other hand, if they breeze through a page and don’t grasp a single word, it’s also a sign that they are not building the mental images that are essential to understand the story or text.
Reading comprehension should happen the first time you read a text. If there is a disconnect, weak visual processing, attention, memory, processing speed, or logic may be at play.
Poor Application or Ability to Connect with Prior Knowledge
The goal of reading comprehension should be to apply the story or information to things you already know or have experienced. If your child struggles to see these connections, weak reading comprehension is definitely a factor to consider. Comprehension and contextualization go hand-in-hand. You want your kids to be able to think critically about what they’re reading, ask good questions, and see the ways it relates to what they already know or have experienced.
What to do When You Notice Weak Reading Comprehension
As we’ve already mentioned, finding the “why” is SO important when approaching comprehension struggles. Whether the issue is with the process of reading, visualizing, paying attention, remembering, or thinking critically, the approach to address these concerns is going to vary.
At LearningRx, we address comprehension issues in a holistic way. We start with a cognitive skills assessment to uncover which skill areas are weak and then tailor a program based on these findings to build up each skill.
Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading, but it can’t happen without a strong foundation of cognitive skills.
Click here to learn more about our comprehension training program >>
Ways to Ignite a Love of Reading:
- Do it together! Read out loud as a family (even when your kids are “too old” or “too cool” to be read to).
- Pick books based on their interests. Librarians are a great resource to help steer you and your kids towards books tailored to their reading level and interests.
- Make sure they’re comprehending. As this blog has outlined, comprehension issues get in the way of enjoying reading. Addressing these concerns can help them learn to love reading again!
- Make it a routine. Whether it’s before bed, at breakfast, or in other pockets of your day, making reading part of your family’s routine will help it become a comfort for your kids.
