Which skill domains are most important for advanced development of reading comprehension?

The advanced development of reading comprehension is significantly influenced by self-monitoring and metacognitive processing. Self-monitoring involves the ability to recognize when understanding breaks down during reading, which allows a reader to take steps to clarify meaning—such as re-reading a passage or seeking additional information. This skill is crucial for maintaining comprehension, especially as texts become more complex.

Metacognitive processing encompasses the awareness and regulation of one's own cognitive processes while reading. This includes planning how to approach a reading task, monitoring comprehension in real-time, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies after completing a text. These skills enable readers to adapt their strategies to better meet challenges presented by different types of texts and tasks.

As readers tackle more sophisticated material, having a strong foundation in self-monitoring and metacognitive skills helps them to not only decode text but also to construct meaning and engage critically with content, which is essential for deep comprehension.

While the other options mention important foundational reading skills, they do not directly address the cognitive processes involved in managing and enhancing comprehension at an advanced level. Phonics and orthographic pattern recognition focus largely on decoding, while phonological awareness and phonomorphologic knowledge pertain to the sound structure and patterns of words. Working memory recall and mental flexibility can