Reading comprehension is what really matters - How can we improve it with Forbrain?

When kids understand what they read, they’re more likely to enjoy the reading experience, develop their emotional intelligence, become more tolerant and understanding human beings, and fulfill their potential.

We have put together some of the most effective strategies that can help you support your child’s reading comprehension, every step of the way with Forbrain. Forbrain fast-tracks a child’s learning through regular practice. All they need to do is wear the headset, then use their voice during normal reading activities.

Whether you have a young child who is taking their first steps with phonics, a middle schooler who needs a push in the right direction, or a teenager in need of support, we have the best tips for you.

What is reading comprehension?

On a basic level, reading comprehension refers to a person’s ability to understand written words and understand their meaning. To do so effectively, they must be able to integrate these words with what they already know, develop a mental picture of what the words describe and develop their own thoughts and ideas about the text in question.

For children, this ability develops slowly from the very first moments they begin to decode the letters on a page, right through until the college or university years.

This essential skill makes reading more enjoyable. Using Forbrain to complement reading helps them to connect with stories, ideas and critical thinking from around the world and promotes their success in life, school and work.

Megan, a parent whose son has been using Forbrain said, “We tried it for 2 weeks and in that time he was able and wanted to do six pages of homework during the time it would usually take to do one to two pages.”

But it’s not just academics that will benefit. Reading is a wonderful way to open a child’s eyes to the world and help them become more emotionally intelligent and understanding when it comes to the richness and beauty of life.

Why is reading comprehension challenging for some children?

Reading is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to humans- we have only been reading and writing for the last 5000 years. It’s no wonder that some children take longer to read and comprehend a text than others. These struggles can begin when the child first learns to read and depends on a variety of factors.

1. Learning Disabilities

Any kind of learning disability or health problem can cause problems in reading comprehension. This includes dyslexia, vision, hearing or speech problems, ADHD and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and can affect focus, text processing and understanding of metaphors and idioms.

2. Lack of phonological awareness

A child who has difficulty understanding the sound structure of words (phonics), they’re likely to struggle when it comes to decoding the words in a text. This delay in processing speed will also affect how quickly the child can comprehend its content.

3. Stress and Anxiety

If your child has always struggled with reading, felt embarrassed at school or if their teachers have ignored or given up on them, they may continue to experience difficulties when it comes to reading comprehension. The problem can intensify if teachers have simply ignored or given up on them, allowing them to slip behind the rest of the class. Often this can go unnoticed for many years, becoming worse over time

4. Lack of interest

Of course, it’s not just about physical skills. If a child isn’t interested in the text they’re reading, they’re unlikely to feel unmotivated when it comes to reading and understanding it.

As complex as this might sound, all of these issues with comprehension can be improved or entirely overcome with the right approach to reading comprehension skills!

The role of vocabulary in reading comprehension

Vocabulary is key when it comes to developing strong reading and comprehension skills as it allows us to understand not just the words themselves, but the connections between them and how they relate to the world.

Without knowing what the words written down actually mean, a child will struggle to make connections with the real world and understand the deeper meanings of the text. This can affect their performance at all levels of education, from elementary through to college.

However, this doesn’t mean sitting down with flashcards or drilling long lists of vocabulary. In fact, the majority of vocabulary we know is learned indirectly and naturally. We learn it by having conversations with the people around us, listening to others, and reading books on our own.  

Having said that, it can be useful to teach vocabulary ‘directly’ through teaching or instruction, especially when it comes to complex or highly specialized vocabulary at a higher level. Note that it’s not about how many words a child understands but the depth of that understanding.

How can Forbrain help?

Forbrain is an effective study device that works on building phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and reading fluency to eventually improve reading comprehension — a vital skill set for understanding texts and their meanings.

• When a school-going child reads and repeats aloud textbooks and new spellings with Forbrain, it improves their pronunciation, speaking confidence, and grasp of vocabulary.
• Revising with Forbrain aids memorization of times tables, spellings, formulas, and other hard to retain information needed for tests.
• Practicing reading activities with Forbrain grows a child’s communication skills with peers, teachers, and their parents.
• Homework and assignments become easier to navigate with Forbrain as reading out aloud help children concentrate and stay on task.