---
title: "Connecting reading to experience"
description: "Link what is read or heard to own experiences; draw on background knowledge and vocabulary to support understanding of texts"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/connecting-reading-to-experience-mt_5n-O41lUgn
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/connecting-reading-to-experience-mt_5n-O41lUgn.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Connecting reading to experience

Link what is read or heard to own experiences; draw on background knowledge and vocabulary to support understanding of texts

Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/connecting-reading-to-experience-mt_5n-O41lUgn

## Ready when they can

- 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

## Lesson: Reading and your own life

When you read or hear a story, you can think of your own life too. That helps you understand the story better. The best match is a time you felt the same way, not just a time you saw the same thing.

**Example.** A story is about a child's first day at school. You went to school too. You remember feeling nervous. Now you know just how that child feels.

**Example.** A story says a boy visits his grandma and eats her soup. You visit your grandma too. You picture her kitchen and her smell of soup.

*(drawing: A story and your life can match. That match helps you understand the story.)*

A story can also remind you of another story you know. Look for what happens in both stories, not just the same things in them. Two stories can connect to each other, like a story and your life do.

**Tip.** While you read, ask yourself: has this ever happened to me? You can also ask: does this remind me of another story? Both questions help you understand more.

**Recap.** Match the story to your own life. It helps you understand what is happening.

## Practice

23 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Thinking Before Starting](https://lightmysky.com/learn/learning-to-learn/thinking-before-starting-mt_LE7nFEwS12)
- [Listening to Texts Read Aloud](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/listening-to-texts-read-aloud-mt_mLPEMpYb_R)
- [Reading for Meaning](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/reading-for-meaning-mt_scBgiMKhG_)

## Opens up

- [Characters' Viewpoints and Responses](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/characters-viewpoints-and-responses-mt_xjl6AEhnjk)