Reading comprehension is the accurate construction of an author’s intended meaning from text. The ultimate goal in reading is to understand – to gain insight and knowledge from the act of reading. Skilled readers construct meaning by synchronizing a bottom-up approach to reading (fluent and accurate word decoding) with a top-down approach (using prior knowledge and experience during reading). Synchronizing these two approaches during reading involves aspects of a variety of neurodevelopmental functions including attention, memory, language, and higher order cognition. To look more closely at the neurodevelopmental components of reading comprehension, click below:
- Attention: mental energy, processing, and production controls
- Memory: short-term, active, and long-term memory
- Language: word decoding and understanding of syntax and semantics
- Higher order cognition: concept formation problem solving skills