How does metacognition contribute to reading comprehension?

Metacognition significantly contributes to reading comprehension by enabling awareness of one’s own reading process. This self-awareness allows readers to monitor and evaluate their understanding as they read, which is crucial for effective comprehension. When individuals engage in metacognitive practices, they can identify when they do not understand something, which prompts them to take corrective actions, such as re-reading passages or adjusting their reading strategies.

This awareness fosters critical thinking as readers actively engage with the text, questioning their comprehension, and adapting their strategies to improve understanding. For example, they might ask themselves whether they are focusing adequately on the material or whether their background knowledge is sufficient to make sense of the new information. Such reflective practices help readers become more strategic and independent learners, ultimately enhancing their ability to grasp and retain the content.

In contrast, increasing reading speed, focusing solely on memorization, or providing unrelated information do not support the deeper level of engagement and understanding that metacognition fosters in reading comprehension. These approaches might contribute to surface-level learning, but they do not equip readers with the necessary tools for meaningful comprehension and retention of information.