Easy Reading Strategies to Understand and Remember More

Reading is one of the best ways to learn new things. Reading expands our thoughts, shapes ideas, and provides insights that we can remember for the rest of our lives. But reading does not solely mean reading words on a page. If we simply forget everything we read, we do not really learn anything! That’s why it’s important to understand and remember what we read.

Unfortunately, many students struggle with reading comprehension. In fact, only 34% of 8th-grade students in the U.S. performed at or above the “proficient” level in reading, according to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress(NAEP). This shows how important it is to use effective reading strategies.

At The Manthan School, best play school in noida, we encourage all students to become smart and active readers. In this article, we’ll discuss some simple and helpful reading strategies that can make your reading time more useful and enjoyable.

1. Have a Question Before You Start Reading

Before you open a book or an article, try to think about why you’re reading it. What do you want to learn? What answers are you looking for?
When you have a clear question in your mind, your brain starts looking for useful information. This makes it easier to focus and find meaning in what you’re reading.
For instance, if you’re reading a book on healthy habits, don’t just read it for fun. Ask yourself, “How can I start a healthy habit?” As you read, you will begin to notice and find tips and ideas that will address your question. This makes learning much more personal and easier to remember!

2. Take Notes While or After Reading

Writing notes is one of the best ways to help your brain remember information! You don’t need to write down everything you read; instead, concentrate on the main concepts and any points that really interest you.
You can do this in two ways:

• While reading: Highlight important lines, underline key ideas, or write short notes in the margins of the book. If something seems important, mark it!

• After reading: Wait a day or two, then write a short summary of what you read. This gives your brain time to think and helps you remember the main points more clearly.

Taking notes turns reading into an active process, which helps your memory.

3. Take Time to Reflect

After you finish reading, don’t just move on to the next thing. Pause and think.
Ask yourself:

• What were the main ideas?

• What did I learn?

• How does this connect to my life?

This doesn’t take too long. Even just a minute or two can help. Reflection helps transfer information from your short-term memory to long-term memory, which means you’ll remember it better later on.

4. Use Pictures in Your Mind

It’s often easier to remember pictures than just words. So, when you’re reading something, try to create a picture in your head.
Imagine you’re reading about how plants grow, instead of just reading the words, imagine a small seed that grows into a big green plant. When you’re able to see the idea in your head, you’re much more likely to remember it.
Some people also like to draw simple pictures or diagrams as they read. If that helps you, go for it!

5. Connect What You Read With What You Know

When you are learning something new, try to associate or link it with something that you already know. This allows your brain to encode the new information so that it is sensible to you.
For example, if you are reading about a new country in geography, think of it in relation to other countries you have already learned about. What is similar? What is different?
Even if the new topic feels completely different, your brain can still make connections. These links help make new ideas stick better in your memory.

6. Make Reading Fun and Relaxed

Don’t rush. Take your time to enjoy reading. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus. If you’re tired or stressed, it’s harder to remember things.
Also, choose books or articles that interest you. If you like the topic, you’ll be more excited to learn and understand. When you enjoy reading, your brain naturally pays more attention.

7. Talk About What You’ve Read

Sharing what you’ve read with a friend, parent, or teacher is a great way to remember it better. When you explain something to someone else, you use your own words. This helps you understand it more deeply.
Try this: after reading something interesting, tell someone about it. You can say, “Did you know…?” or “I just read something cool…” Talking about it helps turn reading into real knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Reading is a powerful tool. However, if you want to learn from it, it’s not enough to just read; you need to think, question, connect and reflect.

At The Manthan School, best play school in noida, we emphasize the fact that reading is not just for schoolwork, but a skill for life. These simple strategies will help you to not only comprehend better, but to remember more! So next time you pick up a book, don’t just read it, own it!