Reading comprehension is perhaps the most important skill a child can learn. It’s also one of the most common learning disabilities. If a teacher notices that a student is having a hard time remembering what they read, the teacher should implement measures in the classroom to improve overall reading comprehension.

Students should engage in active reading, which involves taking notes and highlighting. Notes can help the student remember key concepts while they read and provide information to look at after the reading is completed. Many teachers prefer Cornell notes, which challenge the student to consider different ideas while reading. The student must divide a sheet of paper into three areas: Key Words, Notes, and Summary/Questions. Students can write down key words they see throughout the reading, either words they don’t understand or words they found interesting. The notes section could be used for their own thoughts on the reading or for writing down the main points. The last part should be specified by the teacher: either the student writes down a summary of the piece to show that they understood the main ideas, or the teacher assigns questions for the student to answer after they have read. These notes can provide the student with a study guide when they are tested on the material.

Teachers should also encourage their students to highlight important ideas in the reading. Teachers need to be careful that the students understand that they can’t highlight everything; if they do, then nothing will stand out to them. But if the student comes across a key idea that they will need to remember later, they should highlight that idea in the reading.

Turning students into active readers can take years, but the benefits are numerous. For students with learning disabilities, they will learn to take the time to read and take notes. Students without learning disabilities will benefit from the deeper understanding they will gain by taking specific notes and highlighting.

Reading is a building block for learning. Reading can help us with language arts, social studies, history, science, and other subjects. Reading can help students follow along in class and do their homework later. When a student has a reading difficulty, all of their school work can suffer. How can teachers and parents help students who are having difficulty reading?

Parents can help by reading to their children at a young age, and as they grow, having their child read to them. Learning the alphabet and basic words before they enter kindergarten will give them a solid foundation for their education.

Parents can also help their children by encouraging reading outside of school work. They should make sure their children get their homework done, but also have books on hand to read for pleasure, so reading is an enjoyable experience for them. When a child starts having difficulty with reading their homework, it may be time to take extra steps to make sure that child understands reading basics.

Teachers should make reading a part of everyday activities. A student may not feel comfortable reading out loud in class, so teachers should create other opportunities for students to share their reading with others. If a student’s test scores start sliding in reading, then in other subjects, teachers should address the students reading comprehension right away. Many young people will not come forward if they feel they are not understanding something, so teachers must pay close attention to homework and tests to make sure that student isn’t falling behind in their reading.

A love of reading can last a lifetime and can help a student excel in all subjects. Teachers and parents must look out for signs that their student is struggling so that they can help that student achieve throughout their lifetime.