Read Between the Lines
Learning to infer, or "read between the lines," is one key to good reading comprehension. Here are ways to help your youngster make inferences when she reads.
Describe the Setting
Pick a book, and read a few sentences to your child (without her looking). Leave out words that give away the setting. Example: "Sand stretched in all directions . . . cacti dotted the landscape.' Can she infer where the story is set? If she isn't sure, give her a hint ("Where do you see lots of sand and cacti?")
Look for Lessons
Fables are great for reading between the lines. Read one by Aesop, and help your youngster figure out the lesson. For instance, The Tortoise and the Hare teaches that even if you're slow, you can win if you just keep going. Have her point out parts that she used to make her interference ("The tortoise never stopped, and he took one good step after another").
Use Prompts
Questions that start with "Why do you think . . . ?" or "How do you know . . . ?" can encourage your child to infer. You might ask why she thinks a character behaved the way he did or how she knows it's going to snow. Together, look for clues in the book that might help her answer the questions.
from Reading Connection, February 2013
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