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Key Stage 1 Books – A brief readers guide

Key Stage 1 is the collective term for the first two years of school in England and Wales. Children in Key Stage 1 are between five and seven years old. It is sometimes considered infant school, although other schools classify Key Stage 1 as part of first or primary school. Key Stage 1 has ten different foci, and each has a number of different books.

Author: Chris tyreel
Date: Jan 4, 2010 - 2:05:58 AM

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Key Stage 1 is the collective term for the first two years of school in England and Wales.   Children in Key Stage 1 are between five and seven years old.   It is sometimes considered infant school, although other schools classify Key Stage 1 as part of first or primary school.   Key Stage 1 has ten different foci, and each has a number of different books.

Learning basic English is a major focus of Key Stage 1.   The Key Stage 1 books for English sometimes take the form of stories and fairy tales.   These stories help children learn simple sentences and vocabulary words.   These directed reading books often include short quizzes or supplemental materials that make children think about the words they are reading and learn how to use them properly.

Mathematics in Key Stage 1 focuses primarily on basic addition and subtraction.   Workbooks are available to help children practice these basic math skills.   However, because they are so young, children in Key Stage 1 may not move much past these two simple math functions.  

In the sciences, Key Stage 1 books are again very basic.   They may outline the differences between animals, plants, and minerals, for example, but they will not go into a lot of details.   Some also touch on the environment, the weather, how things work (in a very basic sense), and how our bodies work.

Technology has been added into the Key Stage 1 curriculum as well.   Two different areas are focused upon: information and communication and design.   Both topics are covered in a very basic sense.   The information and communication books, however, do often introduce children to the concept of the computer and the internet.   By age seven, many children in Key Stage 1 have already learned how to use computers to play a number of different games, so these Key Stage 1 books are often a bit more advanced.

History is another area Key Stage 1 students study.   History books usually provide a simple understanding of the UK and of the world in general, although few dates or important names are given at this point.   Geography is sometimes intertwined with history, although students often learn how to recognize the UK and other nearby countries on a map.   They may also learn where important cities are located and where they live.

The last three categories, art and design, music, and physical education, sometimes do not have many Key Stage 1 books.   There are some art books that provide children with examples of famous artwork.   Some simple music books may also be available. Some Key Stage 1 books also focus on religious education, although schools don’t have to follow any specific curriculum in this area.  

Key Stage 1 books do not often introduce advanced or complex ideas, but parents looking at today’s Key Stage 1 books may be surprised at some of the concepts presented.   They are much more advanced than Key Stage 1 books from twenty years ago, especially in the areas of technology.   Today’s Key Stage 1 students are already learning how to use computers, how to read, and much more.  

Rob Hannant has been involved in the education sector for over 10 years and promotes Key Stage 1 books he is experienced in many school curriculums.

View all articles by Chris tyreel

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