The key to reading comprehension

For children to fully understand what they read, several important conditions need to be met. First, they need to have a solid foundation of content knowledge. Just as we wouldn't expect a child to grasp a lesson on continents without first learning about towns, states, and countries, we can't expect true comprehension without building the necessary background knowledge. A strong frame of reference is crucial for making sense of new material.

Another key factor is how the material is presented. Even simple stories can be confusing if not well-organized, while more complex subjects can be understood if they are introduced in a clear, structured way that connects to the reader’s current level of understanding. When information is presented thoughtfully, comprehension becomes much more attainable—especially for young readers.

At Ravinia Reading Center, we believe fluency—reading with speed and accuracy—is essential for comprehension. If children struggle to read fluently, it can hinder their ability to fully understand the material, even when other factors like content knowledge and clarity are in place. That's why our focus is on developing reading fluency, giving children the skills they need to read independently and comprehend with ease.

While we strongly support the importance of teaching comprehension strategies—like re-reading when something is unclear or summarizing key ideas—we recommend that this be done in the classroom with curriculum materials. Our role is to build the foundational fluency skills that set the stage for advanced comprehension, empowering children to read and understand more effectively.