As your child progresses through Year 1, it is 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 1.

1. Reading

In Year 1, children are expected to:

• Read fluently using phonics: Children should use phonics (the sounds that letters make) to decode words and read simple sentences. By the end of Year 1, they should be able to read many words by sight and use their knowledge of phonics to read unfamiliar words.

• Understand what they read: They should be able to talk about the story and the characters in simple texts, and answer questions about what happens in a story or information text.

• Blend sounds: Children will blend letter sounds together to read simple words, such as "cat," "dog," and "fish."

• Recognise common sight words: Children should know and read many high-frequency words (e.g., the, I, to, said, of).

Key Skills in Reading:

• Blending sounds to read simple words.

• Recognising and reading sight words.

• Understanding basic stories and information texts.

• Answering questions about what they have read.

2. Writing

In Year 1, children are expected to:

• Write simple sentences: Children should be able to write short sentences using capital letters and full stops. They will use basic punctuation like question marks and exclamation marks.

• Spell simple words correctly: Children should be able to spell high-frequency words and use phonics to write simple words (e.g., "cat," "sun").

• Use letter formation: Children should form their letters correctly and begin to write neatly, starting to use lower-case letters and capital letters correctly.

• Write for different purposes: They will write for various purposes, such as stories, lists, labels, and simple instructions.

Key Skills in Writing:

• Writing simple sentences with capital letters and full stops.

• Spelling high-frequency words and using phonics to spell words.

• Forming letters correctly.

• Writing for different purposes (e.g., stories, lists, captions).

3. Mathematics

In Year 1, children are expected to:

• Number and place value: Children should be able to count to 100, both forwards and backwards. They should recognize numbers up to 100, understand the place value of tens and ones, and be able to count in steps of 2, 5, and 10.

• Addition and subtraction: They should be able to add and subtract numbers within 20, and understand the relationship between addition and subtraction. Children should also be able to solve simple word problems.

• Shapes: Children should be able to recognize and name basic 2D and 3D shapes (e.g., circle, square, triangle, cube, sphere) and describe their properties (e.g., how many sides or corners they have).

• Measurement: Children should be able to compare and measure objects using terms such as longer, shorter, heavier, and lighter. They should also be able to use standard units for length (e.g., centimetres) and weight (e.g., grams).

• Patterns and sorting: Children will sort objects and shapes based on their properties, such as size, shape, or colour, and identify simple patterns.

Key Skills in Mathematics:

• Counting and understanding numbers up to 100.

• Adding and subtracting numbers up to 20.

• Recognizing and describing 2D and 3D shapes.

• Measuring length, weight, and height.

• Sorting objects and identifying patterns.

4. Science

In Year 1, children are expected to:

• Animals, including humans: Children should be able to identify and name basic parts of the human body and understand the five senses. They should also learn about the needs of animals, including food, water, and shelter.

• Seasonal changes: Children will observe and describe the weather and seasons, and understand how the seasons change throughout the year. They should be able to recognize the features of each season (e.g., cold in winter, warm in summer).

• Plants: Children should know the names of common plants and flowers and understand what plants need to grow (e.g., sunlight, water).

• Everyday materials: Children will explore and name a variety of materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, fabric) and understand their properties, such as whether they are soft, hard, or stretchy.

Key Skills in Science:

• Understanding the human body and senses.

• Observing and describing seasonal changes.

• Naming plants and understanding their needs.

• Exploring and describing materials and their properties.

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. Use books with simple, repetitive text and pictures. Discuss the story with your child to check their understanding.

• Writing: Help your child with writing simple sentences. Practice forming letters correctly, and encourage them to write lists, labels, or short stories.

• Maths: Practice counting, adding, and subtracting with your child. Use everyday activities (e.g., cooking, shopping) to explore measurement and shapes.

• Science: Go on nature walks and explore the world around you. Observe the weather, plants, and animals, and talk about what changes in different seasons.

If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us. We’re here to help and support both you and your child in this important year!