Your child reads beautifully. Fluently. They can read aloud any book you give them.
But when you ask what happened in the story? Blank stare. "I don't know." They can't tell you what they just read.
Teachers call it "barking at print." Your child is making the right sounds, but the meaning isn't getting through. And it's affecting everything from homework to test results.
Here's what's actually happening and how to fix it.
Most parents think: if my child can read the words, they can read.
Not true.
Reading has two completely separate parts. Decoding (saying the words) and comprehension (understanding what they mean). Your child has mastered one but not the other.
Research shows that around 5% of children with perfect word reading have significant comprehension difficulties. These are the kids who slip under the radar. Schools focus on struggling readers who can't decode. Your fluent reader who doesn't understand? They often get missed for years.
By Year 3 or 4, the gap becomes obvious. Test scores drop. Homework takes forever because they have to reread everything multiple times. Confidence crashes.
Look, there are several reasons why children struggle with comprehension even when they can read every word perfectly.
Limited vocabulary
If your child doesn't know what the words mean, they can't understand the text. They can pronounce "reluctant" or "ancient" but have no idea what these words mean.
Weak language comprehension
Some children struggle with understanding language generally, not just when reading. If you read a story aloud to them, they still can't follow it.
Working memory issues
Your child reads a sentence but forgets the beginning by the time they reach the end. They can't hold information in their mind while connecting it to what comes next.
No mental images
Strong readers create a movie in their mind. They visualise characters, settings, and action. Children with comprehension difficulties often don't do this automatically.
Missing background knowledge
Reading comprehension relies heavily on what you already know. A story about Victorian London means nothing if you don't know what "Victorian" means.
Can't make inferences
Your child reads "Sarah slammed the door and stomped upstairs" but doesn't infer that Sarah is angry. They only process what's explicitly stated.
Sometimes it's obvious. Your child finishes a book and can't tell you anything about it.
But often the signs are subtler:
If this sounds familiar, your child needs help with comprehension strategies, not more phonics practice.
The good news? Comprehension skills can be taught. Here's what works.
Build vocabulary deliberately
Don't just explain words as they come up. Teach new vocabulary before reading. Discuss words. Use them in different contexts.
Teach comprehension strategies explicitly
Strategic readers predict, ask questions, summarise, and make connections. These strategies need to be taught, modelled, and practised.
Ask questions before, during, and after reading
Before: "What do you think this will be about?" During: "What's happened so far? Why did the character do that?" After: "What was the main idea? How does this connect to something you know?"
Encourage visualisation
Teach your child to create mental images. "What does the setting look like in your mind? Describe the character."
Make connections explicit
Help your child connect what they read to their own life, other books, or the wider world. "This reminds me of..." is a powerful comprehension tool.
Focus on main ideas
After reading, ask: "What was this mostly about?" Don't accept a list of random facts. Push for the big picture.
Use graphic organisers
Story maps, Venn diagrams, and timelines help children organise information visually. This makes abstract comprehension concrete.
Choose appropriate texts
If the book is too hard, comprehension is impossible. Your child needs books they can read fluently to work on understanding.
Read aloud to them still
Yes, even if they're in Year 5. Reading aloud removes the decoding work and lets them focus purely on comprehension.
By Key Stage 2, reading tests assume comprehension, not just decoding. Children face complex texts with vocabulary they've never seen. They need to infer, analyse, and evaluate.
If your child has weak comprehension, KS2 reading tests feel impossible. They read the passage fine but can't answer the questions.
The SATs reading test isn't about whether your child can read. It's about whether they understand what they read deeply enough to discuss and analyse it.
This is exactly why we created our free KS2 Ultimate Reading & Writing Power Pack + SATs Simplified Pack.
Inside you'll find:
Download your free KS2 bundle here and give your child the tools they need to understand what they read, not just decode it.
Most children improve with consistent practice. But some need more targeted help.
Consider professional support if your child:
If your child is struggling with reading more generally, comprehension might be part of a bigger picture.
Small group English tuition helps children who need explicit teaching of comprehension strategies, targeted vocabulary development, and practice with texts at the right level.
Our KS2 English tuition clubs work systematically through comprehension strategies using engaging texts. With maximum 5 children per group, UK qualified teachers ensure every child understands before moving on.
You don't need complicated resources. Here are simple things you can do today.
Stop and check
Every few paragraphs, ask: "What just happened?" If they can't answer, reread together.
Think aloud
Model your own thinking. "Hmm, the character seems angry here because it says she slammed the door."
Use sticky notes
Place sticky notes at stopping points. Your child writes a quick summary. This forces active reading.
Discuss characters
"How do you think they feel? Why did they do that?" Character analysis builds inference skills.
Make predictions
"What do you think will happen next? Why?" This keeps readers engaged and thinking ahead.
Connect to real life
"Has anything like this ever happened to you?" Personal connections deepen understanding.
Your child can read but doesn't understand because reading and comprehension are separate skills. They've mastered decoding but need explicit teaching of comprehension strategies.
This doesn't mean they're not smart. It means they need different support.
Teach vocabulary deliberately. Model comprehension strategies. Ask questions constantly. Make reading active, not passive.
KS2 demands deep comprehension, not just accurate reading. Tests, homework, and future learning all depend on your child understanding what they read.
Get our free KS2 Reading & Writing Power Pack to give your child proven strategies that work. And if comprehension struggles continue despite consistent practice, get professional support sooner rather than later.
Reading without understanding isn't really reading. Let's fix that.
