Reading aloud

Reading aloud to children has been investigated in numerous ways. The socio-cultural perspective focuses on the importance of the social and cultural context of children's literacy experiences. Drawing on research data from a study that draws on focus group interviews with children and observations of literacy lessons in the classroom, this chapter will explore children's experiences of listening to stories. The chapter, which also includes the experiences of a practicing teacher on reading aloud to children, provides teachers with an insight into a ‘reading for pleasure’ pedagogy. The authors invite the reader to consider the selection and preparation of books and stories for use in the classroom.