How to Improve Children’s Reading Comprehension: 10 Effective Strategies

Reading comprehension is more than just decoding words on a page—it’s about understanding, connecting, and thinking critically about what we read.

For children, developing strong comprehension skills is essential not only for academic success but for becoming lifelong readers and learners.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, here are 10 practical and engaging strategies you can use to help children improve their reading comprehension.

How to Improve Children’s Reading Comprehension: 10 Effective Strategies

Does your child breeze through reading the words but struggle to explain what the story was about?

You’re not alone.

Many children can sound out text with ease but find it difficult to truly understand what they’re reading.

That’s where reading comprehension comes in—and it’s a skill that can be nurtured over time with the right support.

Reading comprehension isn’t just for the classroom—it’s something parents and caregivers can help develop at home through meaningful conversation, playful activities, and thoughtful reading habits.

In this post, we’ll share 10 practical, research-backed strategies that will help your child make sense of stories, think critically, and fall in love with reading on a whole new level.

Build a Strong Vocabulary

The more words a child knows, the easier it is for them to make sense of what they’re reading.

Introduce new words in context, talk about them during conversations, and revisit them through books and everyday life.

Try this: Use a “word of the day” board or keep a vocabulary journal with drawings and examples.

Activate Prior Knowledge

Before diving into a book, encourage children to think about what they already know. This helps them make meaningful connections and predictions.

Ask questions like:

• “What do you know about this topic?”
• “Have you ever experienced something similar?”

Ask Questions Before, During, and After Reading

Asking questions helps children stay engaged and encourages deeper thinking.

Before reading: “What do you think this book is about?”
During reading: “Why do you think the character did that?”
After reading: “What was your favorite part and why?”

Practice Summarising and Retelling

Being able to retell a story in their own words shows that children understand the main points and structure.

Try this: Use a “Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then” framework or have them draw a comic strip of the story.

Model Think-Aloud Strategies

Let children hear your thinking as you read. This teaches them how to process information and fix confusion as it arises.

Say things like:

• “That didn’t make sense. I’ll go back and reread.”
• “I think the character is feeling nervous because…”

Encourage Rereading

Reading a book more than once helps build fluency and allows children to notice new details each time.

Try this: Choose a short book and read it across a few days. Each time, ask different questions or focus on a new element of the story.

Use Graphic Organisers

Visual tools like story maps or cause-and-effect charts can help children organise their thoughts and better understand what they’ve read.

Make it fun: Use markers, sticky notes, or digital templates.

Create a Love of Reading

The more children enjoy reading, the more motivated they’ll be to engage with texts deeply.

Tips to try:

• Let them choose their own books.
• Read aloud together, even with older kids.
• Make reading a cozy, daily ritual.

Explore a Variety of Texts

Reading across genres—fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even comics—exposes children to different styles, structures, and vocabulary.

Mix it up: Visit the library and choose a “mystery bag” of genres to explore.

Talk About Books Together

Engaging in conversation about a story helps children think critically, reflect, and connect ideas.

Ask:

• “What would you have done in that situation?”
• “What lesson did the character learn?”

Extend Stories Through Book-Themed Play and Activities

One powerful way to deepen a child’s understanding of a book is to bring it to life through themed play and creative activities.

When children act out scenes, build story settings with blocks or crafts, or take part in sensory play inspired by a book, they’re not just having fun—they’re strengthening comprehension by engaging with the story on a deeper level.

This kind of imaginative play reinforces key elements like plot, character, and setting, and encourages children to make personal connections with the story.

Whether it’s creating a sensory bear hunt (We are Going on a Bear Hunt) or making your own maraca (Alpacas with Maracas), these hands-on experiences turn reading into something memorable and meaningful.

How to Improve Children’s Reading Comprehension: 10 Effective Strategies

Reading comprehension isn’t built overnight, but with consistent support, engaging activities, and a positive reading culture, children can develop the confidence and skills they need to truly understand and enjoy what they read.