post
BLOG AND NEWS

How to Help Your Child Improve Comprehension at Home

Sep 9, 2019
 
 

When a child has an identified comprehension weakness, it makes sense to pursue extra help for academics. Students can get help from tutors, learning specialists, or may have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in place at school. Unfortunately, language comprehension troubles can affect family life, too. This is especially difficult when weak thinking skills are misconstrued as poor behavior. The child who “never listens” may not understand the task at hand.

 

A primary cause of language comprehension problems is difficulty with creating mental images for language. This weakness causes individuals to grasp only “parts” of information that they read or hear, but not the whole. This weakness often undermines the reading and thinking process. Students with weak language comprehension are commonly saddled with the misconception that they are just not trying, or that they are distractible. In fact, they may be trying very hard to memorize everything they have heard or read. And they need help.

 

Check out some examples of how concept imagery issues can affect school and home:

 

 

The imagery-language foundation is key to good thinking and communication. You can help address comprehension in the following ways:

 

1. In conversation

During discussions with your children about their day or current events in the news, use imagery-stimulating questions.  For example, instead of asking, “What do you think about…?” you can ask, “What did you picture for that story in the news today?”  or “What are you picturing for what might happen next?” You can expand upon these questions to dive into their images even more.

 

2. When reading together

After you or your child reads aloud or listen to a story together, you can gauge comprehension by asking some imagery questions: “How did you see that happening?” or “What do you picture happening next?” These can begin a fun discussion of the story and allow you to see what your child is getting out of it.

 

3. When there’s a problem to solve

Help your children to target specific images they’re creating while they’re processing oral or written language. Teach them to continually ask themselves whether they understand what the consequences may be of certain actions, and if they’re able to picture the outcome: “If I do this, what might happen? What does that look like?”

 

4. When you give instructions

Establish an imagery-language foundation through daily life activities to stimulate learning.  For example, when giving your children instructions, such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, or making their beds, ask them to picture these tasks in their minds before they do them.

 

5. When learning something new

Whether your child is learning the rules of Monopoly for the first time or helping you work through a favorite cookie recipe, prompting your child to visualize the language is a great start. You can also fall back on the imagery-language foundation to check for understanding and to answer questions. For example, “What do you see for ‘bankrupt’?”

 

Comprehension Solutions at Lindamood-Bell

The imagery-language foundation can be developed as a foundation for comprehension and thinking. Students can make years of growth in a matter of weeks.

 

An accurate learning ability evaluation is the first step toward helping your child learn to his or her potential. We uncover the strengths and weaknesses that are affecting comprehension, and, in a thorough results consultation, we will discuss a learning plan to improve learning in the shortest time possible. Recommendations are differentiated based on the unique learning needs of each student.

 

https://youtu.be/lHtkIkjGCvA

 

Contact us to learn more or get started: Double Bay and Brisbane (02) 9328 7119 | Chatswood and Melbourne (02) 9410 1006

Connect with us
ADHD can affect much more than focus; it can also make learning to read and comprehend more difficult.
In our latest blog post, we explore how ADHD impacts learning and how the right support can make a real difference.
📖 Learn how personalized instruction at Lindamood-Bell helps students with ADHD succeed.
Read more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
“Is his reading going to improve?”
 Jody used to lie awake at night, worrying about her bright second grader, Drew, who was struggling to read.
Visit our website to watch an inspiring conversation with Jody as she shares Drew’s incredible journey and the remarkable progress he made with Lindamood-Bell.
You’ll see powerful before-and-after clips and hear answers to questions many parents have about our learning center instruction.
👉 Watch now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Unlock your child’s potential with Lindamood-Bell Academy!

Our accredited K–12 private school goes beyond academics by strengthening each student’s underlying learning ability, while delivering a full curriculum.

Enrollment is now open for the upcoming school year — save 20% on one month of tuition!
Contact us today to learn more and get started! Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Join us for a special webinar featuring Lindamood-Bell Co-founder Nanci Bell!

📅 Wednesday, August 6, 2025
 🕚 11 a.m. PDT | 2 p.m. EDT | 7 p.m. BST
Discover how our school partnerships change student achievement through a revolutionary approach to instruction and district collaboration. This webinar will explore the sensory-cognitive skills that make reading possible and how Lindamood-Bell’s evidence-based model leads to measurable gains, especially in underperforming schools.

Register now to save your spot! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🍂 Attention Educators! Our Fall Workshop Schedule is here!
Join our live online workshops grounded in the cognitive science of learning and aligned with the science of reading and structured literacy.
Discover evidence-based programs to help struggling students, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.
Gain practical strategies for teaching reading, comprehension, and math that you can use right away.
Reserve your spot today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 
We hope your 4th of July is filled with friends, family, and loved ones—enjoy a safe celebration!
🎧 New Podcast Episode! 🎧
In this special episode of Lindamood-Bell Radio, co-founder Nanci Bell reflects on 40 years of transforming learning and literacy, sharing powerful stories and insights from decades of student success.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just curious about our evidence-based approach, this conversation will inspire you.
Listen to Celebrating 40 Years of Learning Transformation with Nanci Bell. 
Tap the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 Lindamood-Bell Academy Week starts July 14! 🎉

Celebrate 10 years of Lindamood-Bell Academy, the only school that addresses a student’s underlying learning ability and offers a full curriculum!

📅 Experience it firsthand. Join us July 14–18 for Academy Week at our Learning Centers.

✅ Special offer: Enroll by August 18, 2025, for the next school year and get 20% off a month of tuition!

🔗 Get details at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Another life changed—meet Cyrus! 💫
Reading was a struggle, and school felt overwhelming. His family tried other programs, but nothing worked—until they found Lindamood-Bell.
After a summer of personalized instruction, Cyrus made incredible progress. He’s now reading above grade level and enjoying school again! 📚💪
That’s the difference our evidence-based approach can make.
Want the same for your child?
 ☀️ Summer spots are filling fast—learn more at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Help your child overcome reading challenges with proven support.
At Lindamood-Bell, we provide personalized, evidence-based instruction that targets the root causes of reading difficulties.
From decoding struggles to comprehension gaps and beyond, our latest blog explains the signs to watch for and how our approach can help your child succeed.
📖 New on the blog: Support for Dyslexia and Other Reading Disorders
🔗 Read now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🎉 Our Special 40th Anniversary Webinar is now available on demand! 🎥
Join Lindamood-Bell Co-founder Nanci Bell as she shares powerful stories and key insights from 40 years of student success.
Discover how our unique, evidence-based approach has helped thousands overcome learning challenges and unlock their potential.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or student, this inspiring session is one you won’t want to miss.
 👉 Watch now! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
🌟 Teacher Appreciation Month Continues! 🌟
We're celebrating educators with exclusive savings EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30!

📘 Get $100 off any Lindamood-Bell workshop now through summer!
Use code THANKYOU100 at checkout.

👥 Planning for your team?
Book an in-service workshop and get $175 off per registrant (minimum 10 participants).
Don't miss out. These offers are available through June 30. Get info and register now. Link in bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
📚 Send your child back to school with stronger skills and new confidence!

Lindamood-Bell Summer Instruction helps kids of all ages catch up or get ahead in:
 ✅ Reading
 ✅ Comprehension
 ✅ Math
Live online or in person. Fun, effective, evidence-based instruction.
Proven results for students with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and more

Enroll by June 13 to get 10% off the first week (minimum applies).
Instruction must be completed by August 22. Hurry, Spots are filling fast!

Tap the link in our bio to learn more and get started, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Not all online schools are created equal. 🎓✨
From live instruction and personalized learning to community and flexibility, here’s what to look for when choosing the right fit for your child.
📖 New on the blog: What to Consider in an Online School
 🔗 Read now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Request Information

Request Information

When you complete our form, we'll send you to our digital information packet and reach out to you shortly.
You may also call us at

* required

Schedule a Learning
Ability Evaluation

Please fill out the form and we will be in touch to schedule an evaluation.

* required