As your child progresses through Year 2, it’s important to understand the key learning expectations across different subjects. Below is a guide to the skills and knowledge your child is expected to develop in reading, writing, maths, and science by the end of Year 2.

1. Reading

In Year 2, children are expected to:

• Read fluently: Children should be able to read age-appropriate texts independently, including both fiction and non-fiction books.

• Understand what they read: They should be able to explain the main events of a story, answer questions about characters and settings, and make simple inferences (e.g., guessing what might happen next or why a character did something).

• Use phonics and other strategies: Children should use their phonics knowledge to read unfamiliar words and use clues in the text to help with understanding.

• Talk about books: They should be able to discuss their favorite books, characters, and authors, and begin to make simple comparisons between different stories.

Key Skills in Reading:

• Reading a variety of texts with fluency and expression.

• Understanding the story and characters, and answering questions about the text.

• Using phonics and context to read new words.

• Talking about books and sharing opinions.

2. Writing

In Year 2, children are expected to:

• Write in sentences: Children should be able to write simple sentences with correct punctuation (full stops, capital letters) and begin using a wider variety of punctuation (e.g., question marks, exclamation marks).

• Spell common words correctly: They should be able to spell common words correctly, including high-frequency words and words that follow phonetic rules.

• Use simple grammar: Children should use correct grammar in their writing, such as using nouns, verbs, adjectives, and simple sentence structures.

• Write for different purposes: They will write for different reasons, including stories, letters, instructions, and simple explanations.

• Handwriting: Children are expected to form letters correctly and write in a legible, consistent way, using capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for names.

Key Skills in Writing:

• Writing sentences with correct punctuation.

• Spelling common words correctly.

• Using basic grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives).

• Writing for different purposes (stories, lists, instructions).

• Legible handwriting with correct letter formation.

3. Mathematics

In Year 2, children are expected to:

• Number and place value: Children should understand numbers up to 100, be able to count forwards and backwards, and compare numbers using the terms greater than, less than, or equal to.

• Addition and subtraction: They should be able to solve addition and subtraction problems with numbers up to 100, and understand the relationship between addition and subtraction.

• Multiplication and division: Children should learn multiplication and division facts for 2, 5, and 10 times tables and apply them to simple problems.

• Fractions: They should understand simple fractions, such as 1/2 and 1/4, and be able to identify them in everyday contexts (e.g., half of a group of objects).

• Geometry: Children should recognize and describe common 2D and 3D shapes, such as circles, triangles, squares, cubes, and spheres, and understand simple concepts of symmetry.

• Measurement: Children should be able to measure length, weight, and capacity using standard units, and use appropriate units to solve simple problems.

Key Skills in Mathematics:

• Counting and comparing numbers up to 100.

• Solving addition and subtraction problems.

• Multiplying and dividing with 2, 5, and 10 times tables.

• Understanding simple fractions (e.g., 1/2, 1/4).

• Recognizing and naming shapes and understanding symmetry.

• Measuring length, weight, and capacity using appropriate units.

4. Science

In Year 2, children are expected to:

• Living things and habitats: Children should understand what living things need to survive, including food, water, air, and shelter. They should also learn about the habitats of different animals and how they are adapted to their environments.

• Plants: Children should know the parts of a plant and understand what plants need to grow. They should be able to name common plants and explain how plants reproduce.

• Animals, including humans: They should understand the basic needs of animals and humans, including the importance of exercise, food, and hygiene for staying healthy. They should also be able to name the main parts of the human body.

• Materials: Children should be able to identify different materials (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, fabric) and understand their properties, such as whether they are flexible, waterproof, or strong. They should also know how materials can change (e.g., by heating or cooling).

• Everyday materials and their uses: They should explore how materials are used for different purposes and why some materials are better suited for certain tasks than others (e.g., why a plastic cup is used for liquids).

Key Skills in Science:

• Understanding the basic needs of living things.

• Identifying parts of plants and understanding how they grow.

• Knowing the main parts of the human body and staying healthy.

• Recognizing different materials and their properties.

• Exploring how materials are used for specific purposes.

How Parents Can Support Learning

Here are some ways you can help support your child’s learning at home:

• Reading: Encourage your child to read regularly. Choose books that they enjoy and discuss the story with them. Ask questions to help them think about the text.

• Writing: Encourage your child to write for fun, whether it’s drawing a picture and writing a description, or writing a simple story or letter.

• Maths: Practice counting, adding, and subtracting with your child. Use everyday situations (e.g., cooking or shopping) to help them practice measuring, comparing, and calculating.

• Science: Explore the world around you together. Go for nature walks, observe plants and animals, and discuss how things grow or work.

If you have any questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!