Do you understand what reading with meaning involves?

There has been a lot of talk about reading with meaning and the lack thereof. The fact that people, in general, fail to read much is, probably, because they don’t read well. For some, it’s a slow, hard task and then they don’t remember what they have read.

Social media is often blamed for contributing to a decline in meaningful reading habits. Although it has brought numerous benefits such as increased connectivity and access to information, it has also introduced several challenges when it comes to reading with depth and understanding.

Do you understand what reading with meaning involves?

It’s more than just looking at words on a page. To simplify the phrase, it’s diving into a story, getting wrapped up in it, and really understanding what’s going on. When we read with meaning, we’re not just reading words – we are thinking about what they mean and how they fit together.

For example, when reading a book about a brave adventurer exploring a jungle, encourage your children to see more than the words ‘brave adventurer’ and ‘jungle’. They must imagine themselves in that jungle, feel the excitement and the danger, then they will understand why the adventurer is brave because they will be aware of the challenges in that jungle. This is reading with meaning. It’s a journey into the heart of a story – and it’s a way to learn, imagine and enjoy the magic of books.

This is not just about reading for school. It’s about reading for fun – and for life. When you read with meaning, you can enjoy a variety of stories, from fairy tales to science books. Reading with meaning helps us learn and grow. Whether you’re reading a novel, a textbook, or a news article, reading with meaning enhances your comprehension and makes the reading experience more fulfilling.

So how can you achieve this?

Pay attention to the words and think in pictures,
ask questions about the story – why did the characters do that? what might happen next?
share your thoughts with others – it’s fun to talk about books with family and friends,
relate what you’re reading to your own experiences, previous readings, or existing knowledge – making connections helps you better grasp and retain new information.

Reading with meaning is a skill that improves with practice. It enhances comprehension and also enriches ones intellectual and emotional engagement with the written word. You can transform your children’s reading from a passive activity into a rewarding journey of discovery and understanding.