How do personal connections benefit students while reading?

Personal connections benefit students while reading because they aid in understanding the material. When students relate the content of a text to their own experiences, emotions, or prior knowledge, they create a deeper engagement with the material. This connection helps to make abstract or complex ideas more concrete and relatable, allowing them to better grasp the themes, characters, and plots presented in the reading. By fostering empathy and critical thinking, personal connections enrich comprehension, encouraging students to analyze and reflect on the text in a way that enhances their overall learning experience. This deeper understanding can lead to increased retention and application of knowledge in various contexts.