Listening and Reading Comprehension

Kids will be more successful in the classroom if they understand what they are hearing and reading.  After all, how can they complete an assignment if they aren’t listening when the teacher explains it?  How can they finish a book report if they don’t understand what they’ve just read?

So one of the things we teach and practice in language therapy are the steps for good listening and reading comprehension:

Read!
If you catch yourself not paying attention, refocus.
If you don't understand something, read it again and look for clues.
If you still don't understand, ask a teacher or look up words in the dictionary or on google.
Take notes -- write down the most important details .
Re-read your notes while the information is still fresh in your mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Listen!
If you catch yourself not paying attention, refocus.
If you don’t understand something, ask the teacher to repeat it or explain it in other words.
Take notes -- write down the most important details .
Re-read your notes while the information is still fresh in your mind.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

As always, lots of reading at home and being read to will increase a child’s language skills.  Check out your local library for popular paperbacks that will excite your child about reading.  Ask the local librarian for suggestions on what ‘all the other kids’ are reading.  After reading each chapter, have your child ask and answer questions about it.

Good luck!

Mrs. Hurd