How to Know If Your Child Really Understands What They Read

It's More Than Just Reading the Words

Imagine sitting beside your child as they read aloud from their schoolbook. The words roll off their tongue easily, they don't stumble or pause—they seem to be flying. You breathe a sigh of relief, thinking, "They’ve got it." But when you ask a simple question like, "What was that about?" all you get is a shrug, a vague summary, or “I don’t remember.” Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. A lot of kids aged 6 to 12 can read fluently but still struggle with reading comprehension. As a parent, it can be hard to tell the difference between reading smoothly and truly understanding the material. And if your child is already dealing with school stress or learning difficulties, this hidden struggle can erode their confidence.

Listening Beneath the Surface

Understanding what your child reads means they can connect ideas, retell stories in their own words, and apply knowledge in new contexts. But kids don’t always know how to demonstrate that understanding. Some are great at memorizing facts or parroting back sentences without grasping the deeper meaning. Others may understand more than they can express out loud, especially if they’re shy, tired, or anxious.

One mom I know, Anna, shared a story about her son, Leo. He was reading chapter books far above grade level, but when his teacher asked about themes or character motives, he stumbled. The issue wasn’t intelligence—it was that Leo’s strength in decoding words was masking his challenges in comprehension.

So how do you, as a parent, get beneath that surface?

Start With Questions That Invite, Not Quiz

Instead of “What was that about?” try questions that are more playful, curious, or personal:

• "If you were the main character, what would you have done differently?"
• "Did anything remind you of something in your own life?"
• "What do you think will happen next—and why?"

These questions take the pressure off recalling exact details and start involving the child’s reasoning, imagination, and emotional understanding—which are all key signs that they’re internalizing the story.

For kids who struggle to respond, try turning the format around. Let them ask you questions about the passage, or act it out with toys or drawings. Sometimes comprehension clicks better through action than words.

When Reading Out Loud Isn’t Enough

Take note if your child reads aloud fluently but their expression stays flat or they pause in odd places. It might be a cue they’re focusing on decoding, not context. Similarly, if they can retell facts but can’t explain why things happened or how characters feel, they might be missing the deeper structure of the text.

In these cases, think about matching the format to their learning style. If your child is an auditory learner, for instance, simply reading with their eyes may not be the best way to take in meaning. Kids like this might benefit tremendously from hearing stories or lessons read aloud—or even better, transformed into immersive, personalized audio adventures. Some tools, like the Sculi App, can turn lessons into stories where the child is the hero, using their own name. Not only does this make the content come alive, it also gives you new insight: if your child can retell or reflect on the story after hearing it, you’ve tapped into a better comprehension channel.

Look at What Sticks—And What Doesn’t

Comprehension is closely tied to memory. If your child reads something but forgets it entirely the next day, it might be a retention issue—not necessarily one of understanding. This conversation with another parent may ring true:

“I know he understood it. He explained it really well yesterday. But now it’s like it’s vanished.”

This could be related to weak working memory, which is especially common in children with ADHD or other learning delays. We dive more into the connection between comprehension and memory here.

Sometimes, repetition isn’t the problem, but the format is. Kids who don’t get much out of rereading might respond better if the same content is turned into a game format, quiz, or story. I’ve seen significant changes in kids when lessons are turned into small, targeted quizzes. Apps like Sculi let you snap a photo of any lesson and convert it into a personalized 20-question review, a game changer for reinforcing comprehension.

The Power of Independent Reflection

You can also help your child build independent comprehension skills by giving them tools to talk to themselves about what they read. Encourage them to pause every few paragraphs and ask, “What just happened?” or “Did that make sense to me?” These habits don’t develop overnight, but consistent practice makes a difference—and over time, you might find your child starting to drive the conversation on their own.

Exploring tools for independent learning can also lighten your load as a parent and put more ownership in your child’s hands, which often increases motivation and curiosity.

Make It a Game, Not a Test

If sitting down to read always turns into a battle, try reimagining comprehension as a game. Can you turn the story into a scavenger hunt with clues about the plot? Can you create bingo cards with character names and major events? Or borrow ideas from our favorite screen-free games that encourage learning.

In fact, many parents have had success by gamifying lessons based on their child’s interests. If your child is into space, and the story is about a rocket scientist, you now have a theme for your comprehension game. Connecting to their passions helps the content stick—and makes reading feel less like homework and more like discovery.

Understanding Is a Skill—and It Grows With Support

If your child struggles with comprehension, don’t panic. Understanding what we read is not just an inborn talent—it’s a skill that matures over time and with practice. It grows faster when kids are guided gently, when you learn how they learn best, and when you offer the right balance of support and independence. Ask yourself: What sparks their attention? Which format lights them up?

Sometimes, all it takes is shifting the lens—listening a little deeper, asking different questions, choosing a more engaging format. Spending that extra five minutes talking about a story on their level can turn reading into something so much more than a school requirement. It can become theirs.