Read Aloud – a Key to Children's Literacy Development : An Interview Study of The Relation Between Read Aloud and Children's Reading, Language and Writing Development

The purpose of this study is to determine which effect preschool teachers believe that read aloud has on children’s literacy development. To gain knowledge about this I have interviewed and observed currently working preschool teachers at two preschools in Västra Götalands län. As guidance, I have used a designed interview guide which encouraged the preschool teachers to openminded answers. In relation to those I’ve also carried out unstructured observations during read aloud occasions. The material was analysed out of the sociocultural perspective. The outcome of this has concluded that preschool teachers claims that read aloud should be given more space in preschools as it is developing the language but also, that the interest itself is a key to development. The result shows at the same time that read aloud is bound socially and that children needs to be challenged in their reading to be able to move forward. But it also shows that the connection between read aloud and children’s reading-, language- and writing development is hard for preschool teachers to connect.