What age is old enough

[wife]

to be able to give me a summary of a story that was read. My dd will try to quote back the entire story word for word, and when she cannot she gets frustrated. I am trying to teach her to summarize ( no I don't use that word..LOL) but she just doesn't seem to get it.. Am I expecting too much from her? She is 6 and will be 7 in May.

Thanks

[lisaann]

You can't put an age limit on understanding. If her brain isn't ready to work that way yet then it's not going to happen.

Something you might try is show her a simple picture and have her tell you about it. This will possibly help her get out of the "repeat it word-for-word" groove. Another thing you could try is after she watches a short cartoon just have her tell you what happened.

I've use these and my kids love them. My dd, age 7, hasen't formed the small muscle coordination yet to copy words so I just write down what she says and she traces it with her pencil. This way she is telling me a story about the picture and then tracing her own words. http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Prompts-Young-Writers-Grades/dp/0590494082

[wife]

I guess I am just trying to figure out if she understands what she read. She can read great but when I ask her what the story is about, she starts quoting it word for word starting at the first sentence. Then when she gets to about the 3rd sentence she starts crying because she cannot remember the rest. I am trying to get her to give me her version of the story.

[Theresa]

If you want to jut check for comprehension, ask her questions about the story, rather than asking what the story was about. I think they get overwhelmed because even a simple story has many things happening in it. Be more specific in your questioning. Then you can ask her what happened next, or what the character did right after that. If she is confused, go ahead and read the story again. It's okay to guide them through the understanding - modeling the behavior is a good teaching method.

[lisaann]

I guess I am just trying to figure out if she understands what she read. She can read great but when I ask her what the story is about, she starts quoting it word for word starting at the first sentence. Then when she gets to about the 3rd sentence she starts crying because she cannot remember the rest. I am trying to get her to give me her version of the story.

:hug Perhaps that is too overwhelming for her yet. You might just try asking a question or two about the story to see if she is getting it. I have this same issue with my 7 yo dd so perhaps it's just an age thing? I do know my dd struggles with some auditory processing issues so listening to stories doesen't always work. Most of the time I have her draw a little picture of what she heard then tell me about the picture. Or have her color a picture relating to the subject while I am reading. I do this alot for history or science.

[wife]

If you want to jut check for comprehension, ask her questions about the story, rather than asking what the story was about. I think they get overwhelmed because even a simple story has many things happening in it. Be more specific in your questioning. Then you can ask her what happened next, or what the character did right after that. If she is confused, go ahead and read the story again. It's okay to guide them through the understanding - modeling the behavior is a good teaching method.

:hug Perhaps that is too overwhelming for her yet. You might just try asking a question or two about the story to see if she is getting it. I have this same issue with my 7 yo dd so perhaps it's just an age thing? I do know my dd struggles with some auditory processing issues so listening to stories doesen't always work. Most of the time I have her draw a little picture of what she heard then tell me about the picture. Or have her color a picture relating to the subject while I am reading. I do this alot for history or science.


Thanks guys. I do ask her questions and right now I have the story broken down into parts.. I guess it is an age thing and she just isn't ready.... I am going to try having her draw a picture.....

[Theresa]

Thanks guys. I do ask her questions and right now I have the story broken down into parts.. I guess it is an age thing and she just isn't ready.... I am going to try having her draw a picture.....

That's a good option, too - ask her to draw something that happened in the story, and she can describe it to you.

[Wally]

Kids are so different and they get different things out of the same stuff.

I don't think there is a set age, but you should be able to talk to your evaluator (Pennsylvania requires an annual evaluation from a certified evaluator) and figure out where your child is on the "curve" -compared to other children in same age group.

Of course just talking about what a child is learning, what they find best - worst is the most helpful.