Reading relies on two main sets of skills: word recognition and language comprehension. Both sets of skills are necessary for a reader to understand written language. If a student is strong in both areas, they will be able to understand what they read. If one of these skills is weak, reading will be more challenging, and understanding what they read will likely be difficult.

Word recognition: print-based skills

A skilled reader can read tens of thousands of words quickly and effortlessly. While it may seem like they are recognizing whole words, research shows that this ability comes from repeated practice sounding out words. Word recognition is the area where students with dyslexia face the most difficulty. Children with dyslexia often need additional instruction and practice to build proficiency with the skills needed to sound out and spell words. Details about the subskills needed for word recognition and how to effectively teach them are explained in Effective reading instruction.

Language comprehension: language-based skills

Skilled reading is more than just identifying words. It is also about understanding what the words, sentences, and paragraphs mean. Language comprehension depends on vocabulary, which includes knowing the meaning of words, understanding when words have more than one meaning, and making connections between words. It also requires understanding grammar or syntax to make sense of complex sentences. Background knowledge is also important for language comprehension. For example, if a child knows a lot about hockey, they will better understand a story about a hockey player’s journey because they can connect new information to what they already know. Strategies such as asking questions, summarizing, and predicting what might happen next also support children in making meaning from text. Together, these language and cognitive skills will help your child enjoy and learn from texts.