Archives for March 2021

When to Use Apps to Help with Reading Comprehension

March 26, 2021

There are many ways parents can help children with reading at home. Parents can help children sound out words as they read, review sight words with flash cards and even play games to help with letter recognition (for early readers). However, when comprehension is an area of literacy weakness parents may find helping their child to be a bit of a challenge.

Helping a child understand the meaning of stories may take a bit of practice. Reading worksheets and apps may help provide enrichment at home. Should children be reading far behind peers before parents take the leap into a reading program?

There is no set standard for when to use apps to help with reading comprehension at home. In fact, any child can use reading apps!

Use Apps to Help with Reading Comprehension During Long Breaks

Summer vacation for many students is about three months long. Ideally, parents should encourage that children practice reading and practicing math skills to ensure that they don’t fall behind; the dreaded summer slide refers to a decline in reading and math skills during the summer break. Some teachers send enrichment packets home at the end of the school year to encourage kids to keep learning (and practicing skills) during the long break.

Parents who are concerned about children who struggle with reading comprehension could use reading apps at home during this time to encourage and facilitate additional reading instruction. Apps like Readability include a built-in AI tutor that asks questions at the end of each story to gauge understanding. Children don’t move on to the next level of reading until they demonstrate proficiency at the set level.

An app like Readability provides more than just books and stories that encourage reading practice. Since the tutor tests comprehension, students are encouraged to think about each story as they read. This helps them understand that reading involves more than simply decoding; to fully understand the story, readers need to think beyond the basic text and make predictions, infer meaning and develop an abstract understanding of character and plot connections. Apps may help them develop this skill.

Use Apps to Help with Reading Comprehension During Virtual Learning

Virtual learning may be different for every school district. Some students may even be back in the classroom, while others may be meeting with their class via virtual conferencing platforms. Parents also may have mixed feelings about their child’s learning during the pandemic or may notice their child falling behind.

Reading apps can be used at home to complement school reading assignments. Parents who feel like their child may benefit from the extra enrichment could research different reading apps to find one that best meets the needs of their child.

Depending on the child’s struggle, an app could focus on phonics (decoding), comprehension or both. An app like Readability that helps with both phonics and comprehension could be a catch-all platform for at-home reading enrichment.

Readability also helps children improve their vocabulary skills. When a child reads a story via Readability, they can click on any word to hear the pronunciation and discover the meaning. As a child reads a story, they can acquire new words to their vocabulary list; Readability will save each word a child discovers to create a unique vocabulary list.

What if a Child Isn’t Behind? Can Parents Still Use a Reading App?

Reading apps don’t have to be used just when kids fall behind. Parents can use a reading app at home so children receive extra instruction and practice.

Children in elementary school might benefit the most from a reading app. Readability, for example, can be used for readers in kindergarten through sixth grade. However, if a sixth grader is reading at the appropriate level, they might not receive much benefit since the program’s content doesn’t extend beyond sixth grade. Readability could still be used to complement grade-level work for sixth graders, though.

Parents who want to use a reading app to move their child ahead or to practice need to understand the limitations of the program. Most programs will be best suited for particular grades.

Children in younger grade levels could help to strengthen their reading skills using an app like Readability. A third-grader could use the program to increase vocabulary and reading fluency, even if the child is reading at benchmark.

Extra reading work or practice can be beneficial to a child’s confidence and to simply ensure that they continue to receive ongoing instruction even when school isn’t in session. Teachers are stretched thin during remote learning; a reading app could be used as virtual one-on-one instruction. The built-in AI tutor with Readability offers feedback, guidance and accountability. Children aren’t just reading and putting the book down; the virtual tutor asks them questions about the book to ensure that they understand what they’ve read.

What is the Best Reading Comprehension App?

Finding the best reading comprehension app depends on the child’s needs and perhaps grade-level, too. Readability helps with both phonics and comprehension, so children who struggle with one or both of these issues could benefit from the program.

Even if an app is designed to address the child’s reading struggles, if it isn’t engaging children won’t want to use it. Parents also should look for these features in a reading app:

Colorful Illustrations

Apps shouldn’t just feature text-heavy lessons and stories. Pictures can help children to better understand a story. Colorful illustrations also help break up text and provide a visual depiction for children to visualize characters and the plot. Look for apps that include graphics and illustrations!

Interactive Features

Feedback is important during any lesson. Apps should be interactive in that they provide ways to explore the story and to receive help when struggles arise. Readability includes a built-in tutor that helps correct pronunciation. In addition, the app lets children click on words to learn their meaning—this helps build vocabulary!

Entertaining Content

Children want to read stories and books that capture their imagination and hold their interest. Fiction and nonfiction stories should be well written and keep kids hooked on the story. Older children with reading struggles don’t want to read below grade-level stories even if their reading level is below grade-level. Readability’s stories are age-appropriate but never too easy or too difficult. All stories fit the child’s age and their reading level.

Lessons Should Go Anywhere

Reading practice and lessons shouldn’t require kids to sit at a computer all day. Books are portable, and an app should be, too. Readability can be downloaded on mobile devices including phones and tablets. The app is available on both Google Play (for Android) and the App Store (for Apple). Kids can use Readability while waiting for their sibling at a sports practice, on a road trip, in a park or even at their grandma’s house. If there is a cell signal, a mobile hotspot or a wireless network, children can practice reading! Parents should be aware, however, of any applicable data charges for their cell network.

Proof of Progress

If parents are paying for an app or program, they want to know that it will benefit their child. Parents can follow their child’s progress on Readability via the Parent Dashboard. This offers insight about a child’s reading level, their progress and how long they engaged with the app. The data also can be downloaded and sent to the child’s teacher.

Free Trial Period

Not every app is right for each child. Parents shouldn’t pay for an app that doesn’t help their child. To find out if an app is a good fit for a child’s reading struggles, parents should look for apps or programs that offer free trial periods. Readability offers a free seven-day trial period that allows children to access all the features of the program.

What Else to Consider

Parents on a budget may need to investigate app prices even before they sign up for a free trial period. Fees may vary per program. Understand what each app offers and how much it will cost. There could be different levels with different price points, too.

Apps may require parents to enter their billing information when signing up for a free trial. If the parent doesn’t cancel the trial within a certain amount of time, typically the credit card or payment method associated with the account is billed for the month. Always check the payment stipulations even when signing up for a free trial. Understand the cancellation policies of each app before signing up.

Is a Reading App for Comprehension a Good Fit for Every Child?

Many children can benefit from using a reading app to help boost comprehension. Even children that are reading at grade-level might see improvement when using an app. Parents may want to sign up for a reading app for extra enrichment during long breaks (like summer!) or during remote learning when one-on-one time with the teacher is limited.

Reading apps like Readability that includes a built-in tutor may provide the extra help children need to become better readers and help boost their reading confidence. Ready to try Readability? Sign up today for a free seven-day trial!

Can Parents Use Computer Programs for Struggling Readers?

March 19, 2021

There are many ways parents can help struggling readers at home. However, some parents may want professional resources to better guide their child’s lessons and help them progress. While some children may qualify for additional reading intervention at school, others might not. This may lead parents to try to help narrow the perceived learning gap for their child.

Private tutors and reading specialists may be an option for parents, but the cost of private intervention may be financially restrictive for those on a tighter budget. Parents may consider online reading programs. Can parents use computer programs for struggling readers?

Yes! Reading programs could be beneficial for children who have reading struggles and who need extra guidance at home. Here are features that parents might consider when researching online reading programs and apps that are marketed for struggling readers.

Is the Program Research-Based?

Parents should feel confident that the program they choose for their child will help them with their reading struggles. Some children have difficulty sounding out words (phonics), but others struggle to understand the meanings behind the story (comprehension). A reading program could be designed for readers struggling with one or both of these areas of reading.

However, parents shouldn’t assume that the app or program will meet their child’s needs. Programs should be research-based and many programs adhere to structured literacy, which was designed as “…phonics-based, systematic, explicit, and highly structured, with multisensory elements to help learners retain the concepts that eluded them.”

Is the Program Engaging?

When children end their school time, they typically want to have some down time. Many kids have some homework at night, and teachers often assign reading as a nightly assignment. Reading for 15 to 20 minutes at home is not an uncommon request from teachers. Reading programs on the computer or via a device may count towards these minutes.

However, children may be more motivated to log onto these programs if the content is engaging. When reading at home, many children select books they love or those in which they have interest. Reading programs have stories geared towards lessons; that is, stories are meant to help children gain proficiency.

These stories should still be engaging, though. Look for programs that keep kids interested in lessons with interactive features, colorful illustrations and compelling content. When children struggle to read, they still want books that are interesting and that feature their interests. A 9-year-old, for example, probably doesn’t want to read a story that was written for a child in first grade. Stories should be at the child’s reading level but written for the appropriate age of the child.

What is the Family Rule on Screen Time?

Some families have hard limitations regarding screen time outside of school. Today’s kids spend hours staring at a screen, and many school districts utilize one-to-one computing with every child having their own laptop. Lessons are via online portals, and physical textbooks may be nonexistent.

As so much time now revolves around screens and devices, parents may be hesitant to sign up for a program that requires the child to spend more time online or looking at a screen. Screen time limitations vary by each family. Some may be fine with additional screen time if it’s for educational purposes. Other families may feel that more screen time is not in the child’s best interest.

Families who are concerned about screen time may do more research about online reading programs. Find out how much time the child will be using the app or program each day. While the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t offer precise limitations on the screen time for older children, staring at the screen shouldn’t get in the way of other healthy activities like eating, physical activity and sleep.

What’s the Cost?

Some families may look into computer programs for struggling readers as they may be more affordable than hiring a private tutor or a reading specialist. Parents may look at their monthly budget to see how much they can allocate for a reading program.

When researching programs that are a good fit for a child, parents need to understand all the costs associated with the program. Some may be a monthly subscription. Others could be a one-time fee. Understand cancellation policies, too. Parents may discover that the program isn’t a good fit or maybe the program just isn’t easy to navigate.

Parents also may need to attach a payment method to their account as some programs may automatically debit the fees each month. Be sure to research the payment obligations of each program before signing up.

Look for Measurable Results

When signing up for a computer reading program for their child, parents will want to know if it’s working. How can parents view their child’s progress?

Understanding the effectiveness of a program helps parents understand if it’s helping their child. Ideally, reading programs should offer a tool within the program where parents can view their child’s progress and program data.

Readability, for example, provides a Parent Dashboard. This tool can only be viewed by parents and includes data on the child’s reading level, program progress and information on how long their child used the app. Parents can use this data to better understand the impact of the program on their child’s reading progress.

Parents may want to keep in contact with the child’s teacher to check in about progress at school. While seeing progress on the reading program can help ensure parents that the program is beneficial, ultimately parents want to see their child improve at school, too. Many schools test reading skills regularly via standardized tests; parents can talk to their child’s teacher about their child’s scores.

What About Free Programs?

Some apps or programs may cost nothing to download. Parents may use these programs to help their child. As with all programs, though, parents may wish to research the program to understand features and if it is a good fit for their child’s needs.

Free apps or programs also could have other costs. If the program is a game format, there could be In-App purchase options. If parents don’t wish to let their child make purchases within an app, they may need to update their preferences.

Sometimes a program also provides a free trial. These no-cost trial periods can be useful in helping parents decide if the program is right for their child. Parents may still need to attach a payment method when signing up for a free trial. Make sure to read any cancellation policies when signing up for a free trial. Sometimes the account may be billed if parents don’t cancel within a certain time period. Again, be sure to understand all the terms of the free trial agreement.

How Else Can Parents Help With Reading?

Even if parents decide to use a computer reading program, they can still encourage additional reading practice. The more a child reads, the more confident they may become with reading.

For children who may not love reading, parents can find unique ways to make reading an adventure. Build a reading fort out of pillows or drape a blanket over chairs to create a special reading nook. Let children choose the books they read, but talk to teachers about what reading level is best for the child. If a child is reading the book independently, parents may want to make sure the book isn’t at a reading level that is too difficult.

Parents also could take turns reading to their child. Parents can read one page and children can read the next page. Or parents and kids can take turns reading chapters. Talk about the book while reading. Ask ‘wh’ questions to gauge comprehension.

If the book has been made into a movie, parents might consider watching it with children after they finish the book. Sometimes the big-screen adaptation is very different from the book. Ask children how the book differed from the movie. What elements of the story remained the same in the movie?

Of course, parents also can ask the child’s teacher for additional enrichment materials to help with at-home instruction for reading. Teachers may be able to recommend sites that include reading worksheets or provide additional resources to parents. Some schools provide parents with login information that they can use at home for educational games or programs.

Start a Free Trial

Parents who are ready to start their child on a computer reading program may wonder how to get started. Readability makes it easy for parents to start a free trial. With a Readability free trial, parents and their child have access to the program for seven days. A free trial can help parents determine if the program is a good fit for their child. Ready to sign up for a free trial? Get started today!

Kids Reading Programs for Spring Break

March 12, 2021

Some students are still learning remotely, others are back in the classroom full-time. As the school year comes to a close students (and teachers!) are likely looking forward to breaks from the routine. Spring and summer signal longer breaks for students. The time away from class, though, doesn’t mean children should push aside their books.

Spring Break is a great time to initiate a kids reading program that can also be used during summer. Reading programs don’t have to be formal or instructive, however. Use these fun ideas for kids reading programs to keep kids engrossed in books during breaks (spring, summer…and even winter, too!).

Seasonal Themes

School breaks tend to correlate to holidays. Winter breaks take place during festive celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s. Spring Break is usually around Easter or Passover. Summer, of course, includes the Fourth of July.

An at-home reading program can simply adopt these holidays as a theme. During the winter break, kids can read books about the holidays or they may even read about winter weather. Spring break reading programs can focus on learning about spring holidays (including St. Patrick’s Day) or other spring themes like flowers and gardening,

Families also can choose a theme based on their interests and culture. Or encourage children to learn all about the seasons—including celebrations—across the world. Holidays and even the seasons are a great way to introduce children to global experiences. When it’s spring in North America, for example, it’s fall in other places.

Visit the library to encourage children to read up on different themes for their break. Let them choose the books—but make sure the levels are appropriate. Parents can read to children, too.

The goal is to read during the break and let kids explore their interests and curiosity.

Reading Contests

On your mark, get set….READ. Hold a friendly family reading contest. This isn’t about who reads the fastest. Instead, see who can read the most pages, the most books or the most minutes during the time off from school.

Have kids create a chart for the contest to keep track of their progress. Don’t pit kids against each other, though. Instead reward all children for their accomplishments. Maybe one child read more pages, but another read more books.

Some children struggle to read, so make goals that are appropriate for them.

Start a Family Reading Program

Think of this as more of a family book club. Everyone reads the same book! However, the book must be the appropriate level for all family members. So this idea may be best suited for families with older children.

Parents and kids can brainstorm books that they’d like to read for the book club. During summer, the family may read several books. During shorter breaks, though, just opt for one smaller book. Make sure everyone can get through it. Remember, some kids may need more time to read.

Choose a day to discuss the book. Talk about what happened, favorite characters and why everyone liked or didn’t like the story.

Get Environmental: Read a Book, Plant Something Green

The pages of books are made from paper, and paper is created from trees. Adopt a unique reading tradition by planting a tree after hitting a reading goal. Ecolibris let individuals plant trees for a specific number of books they read; these trees were planted in countries where they were most needed. While Ecolibris is no longer providing the service, families can make the reading experience greener by planting trees in their own backyard.

Perhaps for every 10 books the family reads, a tree is planted in the yard. Or maybe a seed for flowers. While families might not have the space for an entire orchard, planting anything green can help the environment. Or donate to an organization like the Arbor Day Foundation.

Check Out the Library

Many public libraries offer summer reading programs. Each library may have its own program structures; some even offer prizes.

Visit your library online to see what programs are offered. Families may even find opportunities for virtual reading events or other reading activities. Many libraries offer story time for younger children; this is a great way to start a reading tradition at a young age.

Some libraries even have Spring Break programs. Teague Public Library, for example, hosts a Spring Break Read-a-Thon plus other activities!

School Resources

Maybe your child’s school offers enrichment activities during the summer (or spring). Some schools send learning packets home with students to work on during the summer; these materials may help keep kids engaged and learning. Schools also could sponsor their own reading programs or encourage kids to join the local library’s reading programs. Parents can ask teachers for ideas, too.

Reading with Rewards

Some reading programs are tied to local restaurants or attractions. Pizza Hut, for example, has offered the Book-It program for decades. The program lets kids set goals based on pages, minutes or the number of books. When they finish the program, they receive a certificate for a free personal pan pizza.

Live near a Six Flags theme park? Six Flags offers the Read to Succeed program, and children can receive a free ticket to the park for reading. However, the child’s school must be participating in the program in order for a child to sign up.

Check with your child’s teacher to inquire about any reading programs with which the school may be participating.

Combine Reading with Activities

A reading program can be a fun mix of books and other activities that complement the book. When children are reading a book, parents can help children immerse and explore the story through activities and fun outings.

Ask a child what they are reading. Talk about the places, people and even the foods featured in the book. When parents have background about the story—they may even research online—they can start planning reading activities.

A reading field trip can help children explore the places in the book. Parents might not be able to visit faraway lands, but they can get creative. If the book is set in the past and features historic events, visit a museum that focuses on these themes. A planetarium would be a great field trip for a book that focuses on planets or the solar system. Or maybe if the main character was interested in outer space. Field trips also can be virtual. Many museums offer virtual tours or other activities.

The foods in the book also can be enticing to kids. Sometimes these scenes of wondrous feasts and new flavors can make adults hungry, too. Everyone has likely read a book that featured a food or meal that sounded tasty. Ask kids what the characters in the book are eating. Then hunt down those foods. Maybe cook up a book feast! Or eat a story-themed snack while reading.

Books open up new worlds…and new flavors, too!

Watch a Movie after Enjoying the Book

Easy reading programs for kids during vacations or school breaks can simply pair up a book with the big screen adaptation. Let kids choose books that have been made into movies. They should read the book first, and, when they finish, then the family can watch the movie.

Talk about the book and the movie and how they were different and similar. Sometimes the characters look different on screen than how they were described in the book. Plots can be different in the movies, too. Not all movies are true to the book. It’s fun to spot the differences.

Watching the movie won’t make a child a more fluent reader, but perhaps watching the movie can help children appreciate that books are so entertaining and imaginative that even Hollywood uses them for inspiration.

Use an Online Reading Program

While restaurants, theme parks, libraries and schools all can offer fun reading programs with prizes and activities, children who struggle with reading may need a program that helps them read. Summer break can be the time when children lose proficiency; educators dub this the ‘summer slide.’ For children who need additional help with reading, an online reading program may help children gain proficiency with comprehension and phonics.

Readability includes a built-in AI tutor that guides lessons by helping children when they stumble on a word and asking questions related to comprehension. Children move up to more difficult stories and books as they demonstrate proficiency at each level. Children will not advance until they master each level.

Parents can follow their child’s progress via the Parent Dashboard; this shows how long the child engaged with the program and provides parents with the child’s reading level. Parents can easily note their child’s progress with the program to better gauge its effectiveness.

Readability can be downloaded on a computer, tablet or phone. Reading lessons can go mobile! Since not all reading programs are a perfect fit for every child, Readability offers a free seven-day trial. Ready to try Readability during the next school break? Sign up today!

Parents’ Guide to Reading Comprehension

March 5, 2021

Reading struggles in childhood are not uncommon. In fact, Reading Rockets reports that potentially 10 million children may struggle with reading. Children could have difficulty in pronouncing (or sounding out) words, they may struggle to understand what they read or they could face multiple learning difficulties related to reading.

If a child struggles with only reading comprehension, they may seem to read fluently. Perhaps the child has no difficulty in sounding out words but simply cannot articulate the meaning of the story or retell what happened. We’ve put together The Parents’ Guide to Reading Comprehension to help parents who are unsure how to help their child with this area of reading.

While some reading struggles could be tied to an underlying medical condition or learning disorder, not all who struggle may have a distinguishable diagnosis for why they struggle. Children also could fall behind peers because of lack of access to books or other resources.

Here’s everything parents need to know about reading comprehension, including resources that can be used to help their child master this important component of reading.

What is the Meaning of Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is all about understanding the meanings and inferences within and hidden behind the text. At a basic level, children need to understand what is happening in a story. Even early readers may be able to retell the plot of the story and name the characters. These are both components of comprehension.

As the child advances in their reading skills, their comprehension also should become more nuanced. While the child should still be able to provide a synopsis of a book or story, comprehension also will entail more complex and abstract thinking skills.

Reading comprehension for older children also involves being able to make predictions about what will happen next as well as being able to read into the character’s intentions. At a more advanced level, comprehension requires readers to ‘read between the lines’ and understand the inferences of a story. The writer won’t always write what is meant. The reader needs to be able to make this connection.

Comprehension is complex, and it can be difficult for parents to teach this reading skill. While parents can help children understand the basic plot of a story, children will need to learn how to train their brains to analyze other meanings of the story and book.

The ‘wh’ questions of comprehension become tools for helping children better comprehend stories. These questions include: who, what, when, where, and how.

What are the 5 Reading Comprehension Strategies?

Parents may not know how to help children master comprehension at a higher level. However, according to Teach-nology, there are five reading comprehension strategies that can be used to help children develop comprehension skills:

Story Maps or Diagrams

This is a bit like creating a diagram of the book. Teach-nology explains that kids fill in bubbles about each part of the book. So one section may ask who the characters are, another the story’s location, etc. Parents can come up with a different map that their child should complete.

Read & Answer

In the classroom setting, Teach-nology explains that this tactic would include a short section (perhaps a paragraph) that the child has to read. Questions would follow. Parents may try this strategy for chapter books. That is, they can ask a number of questions at the end of each chapter.

True or False

A variety of statements about the book are included and children need to label them as true or false. Parents can break this down into chapters for children who are reading longer books.

Role-Playing as the Author

Teach-nology explains this as being used in the classroom; children take turns being the author and answering questions about the book. However, parents also could use this strategy at home.

Writing a Diary

This is all about stepping into the shoes of one of the story’s characters. The child can write a diary pretending to be a favorite character. Parents can provide writing prompts to help guide the child’s writing.

These are simply a few comprehension strategies. However, five strategies aren’t the limit. Parents can use audiobooks, too, that allows children to listen to the story. Sometimes listening while reading could help children hear the intonations of a character (thus, helping them decipher the intentions).

For younger children, parents can encourage puppet shows to recreate scenes from a book. Parents also can buy a reading comprehension beach ball to use for a fun reading game. Reading comprehension balls feature prompts about the story; children can take turns tossing and catching the ball and answering questions about the book or story. These inflatable balls can be made at home or purchased online.

How Can I Improve My Reading Comprehension Skills?

Parents can help their children at home with reading comprehension, but not every strategy may work for every child. In addition to the strategies listed above, parents can use reading worksheets or online reading apps to help their child gain proficiency.

Many sites offer free worksheets that parents can download and print out. Typically, these worksheets are organized by grade level. Parents may need to find out their child’s reading level to find the best worksheets. That is, if a child is reading below grade-level, then printing grade-level worksheets might not be appropriate. Parents can talk to their child’s teacher to find out their child’s appropriate reading level.

Online reading apps like Readability also can benefit children who struggle with comprehension. Readability offers a built-in AI tutor that helps children during reading lessons. The tutor will correct pronunciation or help the child when or if they struggle during a lesson. The tutor also asks questions to gauge understanding at the end of each book. A child will only advance to the next reading level when they demonstrate proficiency; they must be able to master comprehension to move onto the next level.

Not every app will be a fit for each child. Parents can try out Readability for free for a week. During the free trial, children have access to all the features of the program. Parents can then gauge if they think Readability will be effective for their child.

What are the 5 Levels of Reading Comprehension?

Per ResearchGate, there aren’t five levels of comprehension…but six. However, these levels are tied into essay writing, which is a written analysis of the text that can showcase advanced understanding. When readers hit high school, they will write essays about the books they read. Students will need to analyze the text at a higher level. They will delve into critical analysis and express their own opinions about the meaning of a book. They will support their arguments with details from the text.

The six levels include: literal, inferential, appreciative, critique, evaluative and essential.

Literal is the most basic…or ‘literal’ understanding of the text. Inferential is all about inferencing from the text. Appreciative is all about the reader’s point of view. Critique requires the reader to be a critic of the author. Evaluative is a bit of an evaluation of a character and their actions. While essential comprehension may require the reader to apply everyday scenarios to the story.

What is the Highest Level of Reading?

Parents may wonder what the end level is for reading. What is the ultimate goal? Some reading programs use letters to show reading level; the end may be a reading level of Z. Numbers also can be used.

Reading complexity, though, may be based on the language used in the book or perhaps the underlying meaning of the book. Stories and books with more robust vocabulary will need higher-level linguistics mastery for understanding. In addition, books with deeper contextual meanings require that the reader is able to make these connections—maturity and reading skills may both play into comprehension.

For an easier answer to the question though, look to Scholastic. The site explains that the highest reading level only goes up to 2000 for Lexile.

What are the Three Types of Comprehension?

Many sources will note that there are three levels or types of comprehension: literal, inferential, and evaluative. However, as discussed above, comprehension can involve six different levels. All of them require a different response and skill of the reader.

That being said, literal, inferential, and evaluative may be considered the primary three…but that simply depends on the source.

Asking Questions, Using Worksheets and Downloading Apps!

Parents who want to work with their children at home to improve comprehension may enlist a number of resources. Children can create a comprehension bookmark that includes thoughtful prompts that encourage them to think more about the meaning of the story. A bookmark could serve as a physical reminder of those key ‘wh’ questions.

Parents also could download free reading comprehension worksheets online. These often include little chunks of text with questions that gauge understanding. Or parents can ask their child’s teacher for additional reading worksheets.

A reading app like Readability can provide children with a virtual reading tutor. The built-in AI tutor can take the place of an in-person instructor to help children progress in their reading comprehension skills. Parents who want to get their child started with the program can sign up for a free trial online!