Ask a lot of questions. Make sure that a child's brain is effectively taking in the information that the reading material is trying to convey. Do this slowly so that the child doesn't get overwhelmed by too much information at once. Once the child completes one page of reading, ask her detailed questions about what just happened and what may happen next. These questions can ensure that the child is connecting with the reading rather than just allowing the words to echo through her mind. To encourage thorough and detailed answers to your questions, use language such as "explain" and "guess."
Establish an environment of reading. Without coercing your child to read, casually work on making reading a prominent activity in your household. Instead of watching DVDs at night, sit on your sofa reading a literary classic. Make sure that your child sees you doing this, as children often tend to mimic the actions of parents. Promote the enhancement of your child's reading comprehension skills just by getting her to want to read more -- practice often makes perfect.
Utilize pictures for help. For young elementary schoolers, illustrated books can go a long way in aiding reading comprehension skills. Once a child reads about a book character, request that he point out the corresponding picture. Doing this can create a tangible and visible connection between the actual character and the words in the text.
Read books out loud to the elementary school student. Whether the child can successfully read on his own or not, there still is value in reading to him. Get your child to concentrate for an extended period of time through pure listening. Encouraging close listening to reading may help him strengthen the comprehension skills necessary to understanding readings on his own.
Encourage reading no matter where a child is. Make reading and comprehension second nature to a child. If you are waiting at a bus stop, request that the child read what the schedule says. If information is printed about route delays, ask her to explain the situation. From instructions on food labels to signs at grocery stores, ask a child to read and explain things to you whenever possible.
Ask the student to link previous knowledge to current text. Make a child's reading seem relevant to him by asking him to think about what he already knows when reading something new. If he's reading about early American presidents, jog his memory about George Washington's life, from his time in the military to his presidency.
Work on the child's knowledge of vocabulary. If a child has trouble with reading comprehension, it may be a sign that his vocabulary knowledge isn't strong enough. Teach your child a new word every day. Make it a ritual first thing in the morning. Test the child on vocabulary knowledge with the use of flash cards. Point out words when you see them, whether you are home or out in public.