The child reads but cannot answer: what is the problem?
Words may consume attention, vocabulary may be limited or the child may not know how to find ideas and evidence. Separate accuracy, word understanding and answer construction, practising each in a short text.
Practical takeaways
- Context provides clues, not unrestricted guessing.
- The main idea brings details together, not a random copied sentence.
- Inference needs two clues or clear evidence.
Understanding vocabulary from context
Read around the word and look for an example, description or result. Then try a replacement meaning and check whether the sentence still makes sense.
Idea and details
Ask what the whole text is about and which information explains that idea. Use a provisional title to gather meaning.
Literal questions and inference
Literal answers have visible evidence. In inference, connect two facts and explain what follows. Require a supporting clue.
Monitoring comprehension
Teach the child to stop when meaning is unclear, reread, break up the sentence or return to the paragraph. Strong readers know how to repair understanding, not avoid every difficulty.
Frequently asked questions
Should I give the word’s meaning immediately?
After trying context first. If it is insufficient, explain briefly and use the word in a new sentence.
How do we identify the main idea?
It is the sentence or phrase gathering most details and answering what the text is mainly about.
What is the difference between inference and guessing?
Inference uses textual clues and logical knowledge; guessing lacks evidence.