Teaching comprehension to preschoolers is an important aspect of their early literacy development. Comprehension skills help children understand and make meaning of what they read, hear, or see. As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your preschooler develop these skills.
Tips On How to Teach Comprehension to Preschoolers
Start with simple stories and Use Interactive Reading Strategies
When teaching comprehension to preschoolers, it is important to start with simple stories that are age-appropriate, engaging and relatable. Choose books with colorful illustrations, repetitive phrases, and clear storylines that are easy for young children to follow. Encourage your preschooler to engage with the story by asking questions, making predictions, and retelling the story in his own words.
Incorporating a variety of genres and topics can help engage young learners, enhance their understanding of different types of texts, and expand their knowledge and vocabulary.
Picture Books
Picture books are a great way to introduce preschoolers to different genres and topics. Choose picture books with illustrations, simple texts, and engaging stories that cover a range of genres especially fantasy, nursery rhymes and poetry. Encourage preschoolers to look at the pictures closely, ask questions about the story, and make predictions based on the illustrations.
Fairy Tales and Folktales
Fairy tales and folktales are timeless stories that can introduce preschoolers to different cultures, traditions, and storytelling styles. Read classic fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears to expose preschoolers to different themes, characters, and settings. Encourage them to retell the stories in their own words and act out their favorite scenes.
Non-Fiction Books
Non-fiction books can help preschoolers learn about the world around them and build their knowledge on various topics such as animals, plants, and vehicles. Choose age-appropriate non-fiction books with simple language, clear photographs, and interesting facts to engage preschoolers in learning. From asking questions, to making observations, you preschooler can connect the information to his own experiences or imagination.
Poetry and Rhymes
Poetry and rhymes are fun and engaging genres that can help preschoolers develop their language and literacy skills. Read nursery rhymes, silly poems, and playful verses aloud to introduce them to rhythm, rhyme, and creative expression. Encourage your preschooler to listen for rhyming words, clap to the rhythm, and later create his own simple poems.
Interactive Stories
Interactive stories such as lift-the-flap books, touch-and-feel books, and pop-up books can capture preschoolers’ attention and make reading a hands-on experience. Choose interactive books that can encourage your preschooler to actively engage with the text, explore different elements of the story, and interact with the illustrations. Get him to describe what he sees, predict what will happen next, and participate in the story.
Utilize Visual Aids and Hands-on Activities
Visual aids before reading can support comprehension by providing additional context and information. Use illustrations, pictures, and props to help bring the story to life and enhance your child’s understanding. Encourage your preschooler to make connections between the text and the visuals, and ask him to describe what he sees in the pictures. Engaging in such hands-on activities do bring stories to life and deepen their understanding of the texts.
“Reading comprehension requires automatic imaging in which parts are visualized and automatically brought together…. in order to develop a whole of the information read” – Nanci Bell
Here I would like to mention how Image Visualization Cards, easily made can help your preschooler sharpen his visualization skills. Print out a simple image or picture of the story you are about to read and show you preschooler. Tell him to study the picture carefully. Hide the picture, and ask him to say how many details he can remember. Then share back the image and continue working on the discussion: what the story may be about, the characters, the ending etcetera.
For Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Encourage Active Listening
Active listening is a key component of comprehension. Encourage your preschooler to listen attentively while you read to him or while he listens to a story. Ask him to verbally summarize what he has heard, retell the story in his own words, or act out key events from the story. Model active listening by providing feedback and asking questions to check his understanding and level of recall.
Emphasize Vocabulary Development
Developing a rich vocabulary is essential for comprehension. Introduce new words to your preschooler through reading, conversations, and everyday activities. Encourage him to ask questions about unfamiliar words and help him understand the meaning of words in context. Use word games, flashcards, and hands-on activities to reinforce vocabulary skills.
Provide Opportunities for Discussion
Talk about the books that you have just read to them. Engaging in meaningful discussions with your preschooler can help enhance his comprehension skills. Encourage him to talk about the characters, setting, and events in a story. Ask open-ended questions to prompt deeper thinking and encourage your child to express his thoughts and opinions. Create a dialogue that fosters critical thinking and helps your child make connections to the text.
Celebrate Progress
Celebrate your preschooler’s progress and accomplishments as he develops his comprehension skills. Praise his efforts, and acknowledge his growth as readers and thinkers. Celebrate milestones, such as successfully retelling a story or making thoughtful connections, to motivate and inspire your child to continue working on his comprehension skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching comprehension to preschoolers is an important aspect of their early literacy development. By starting with simple stories, using interactive reading strategies, encouraging active listening, building vocabulary, providing opportunities for discussion, promoting critical thinking, encouraging retelling and sequencing, using visual aids, engaging in hands-on activities, and celebrating progress, you can help your preschooler develop strong comprehension skills that will serve him well as he continues on his literacy journey. Remember to be patient, supportive, and creative in your approach to teaching comprehension, and enjoy the process of watching your child grow and learn as a reader and thinker.