Connecting reading to experience
Link what is read or heard to own experiences; draw on background knowledge and vocabulary to support understanding of texts
Suggested ages 5–7
Learning journey
Your child is building reading skills — understanding stories by identifying characters and events, asking questions about what they read, and connecting books to their own experiences.
Evidence of understanding
- Make text-to-self connections (e.g. 'This reminds me of when I...')
- Use personal experience to understand a character's feelings
- Relate events in a story to own life to deepen comprehension
Assessment prompt
When Connecting reading to experience hears or reads a story about something familiar — like going to school or visiting a grandparent — do they connect it to their own life and use that to help understand what's happening?
Standards alignment
Draw on existing knowledge
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1
Link reading to experience
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1
Draw on background information
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key stage 1