Teaching Children How to Make Predictions as They Read

Students who are engaged in what they’re reading are involved in the stories, or informational material, they are reading. Fluent readers, or rather good readers, are those children who make logical predictions about what is going to happen next in stories. This strategy of reading, then re-affirming predictions made during reading, not only helps children remain interested in what they’re reading, it also improve their
comprehension. This strategy can be done with a picture book story or even a chapter book—and both teachers and parents can apply this strategy.

Here’s How—

- Begin reading the story together.
- Next, pause at key parts of a story, summarize and discuss the story so far. This helps you determine whether your children are understanding the story so far.

- Then, ask your children to make a prediction about what they think is going to happen next, in the story. Remind your children that a prediction is not a wild guess. A prediction must be a logical response based on careful thought about what they’ve read so far.

*Note for Teachers, don’t ask the students who raises their hands first. Give those students, who need more time to process information, a chance to contribute in reading class discussions. Importantly, Children benefit from listening to other students thought processes.

- Continue reading the story. Then stop and talk about the predictions that were made. Ask your child what they read that leads them to that prediction. Always assure your child it is okay if their predictions are wrong.

Research in reading continually supports the strategy of making predictions, while reading, improves reading comprehension. Practice this strategy often and you will see your children enjoying reading and devekoping better understanding what they're reading.