What skill can be improved by children's ability to infer meaning from context?

The ability to infer meaning from context significantly enhances reading comprehension. This skill enables students to derive meaning from text beyond the literal interpretation of words. When children encounter unfamiliar words or phrases while reading, they can use the surrounding information—such as sentences, paragraphs, or even illustrations—to deduce the meanings, thereby deepening their understanding of the overall content.

Reading comprehension is crucial not only for academic success but also for effective communication and critical thinking. Being able to interpret and connect various parts of a text allows readers to grasp themes, make predictions, and engage with the material on a more sophisticated level. This aligns with the broader goal of fostering analytical skills necessary for higher-order thinking. Consequently, improving the ability to infer meaning from context directly correlates with enhancing reading comprehension.