Learning Aloud is led by Dr Catherine (Kitty) O'Reilly, a Research Fellow at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. Kitty is an experienced researcher with a background in early childhood education and a deep commitment to understanding how children learn and grow. Her research explores critical thinking, storytelling, and wider aspects of child development early childhood (0-6 years).

At the heart of Learning Aloud is Kitty's research-based approach to learning. Her doctoral project, Nurturing Critical Thinking through Storytelling, is a design-based study that supports young children in developing emergent critical thinking skills through oral storytelling, dialogue, and expressive drawing. Learning Aloud shares insights from this and other projects to connect research with practice—supporting educators, families, and organisations in nurturing meaningful, developmentally informed learning experiences for young children.

Learning Aloud offers research-informed support for early childhood educators, organisations, and families. The services have evolved to reflect Kitty's core focus as a researcher and include:

• Research collaborations in early childhood education and care, particularly in areas such as critical thinking, storytelling, emotional development, digital literacy, social development, and play-based learning.
• Professional development sessions grounded in current research, designed to support reflective practice, pedagogy, and the application of storytelling and child development theory in everyday learning environments.
• Workshops and talks that translate complex research into practical, accessible strategies for early years educators and community groups.
• Family support resources, based on evidence-informed approaches to storytelling and emotional connection at home.

Learning Aloud is for anyone invested in high-quality early childhood education and care. This includes:

• Researchers and research partners looking to collaborate on studies in early childhood settings.
• Early years educators and practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of how storytelling, play, and child development research can enrich their daily work.
• Organisations and community groups seeking to engage with evidence-based practice.
• Parents and carers interested in fostering their children's development through connection, conversation, and creativity at home.

Early childhood education is crucial because it lays the foundation for a child's lifelong learning, wellbeing, and development. During these formative years, children develop essential skills in communication, critical thinking, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Learning Aloud supports this important stage by offering services that use storytelling, play, and creativity to nurture a child's curiosity and confidence. Through engaging sessions and professional support, Learning Aloud helps create rich, language-filled environments that promote holistic development and foster strong relationships between children, educators, and families.

A play-based approach to learning is an educational method where children learn through exploration, imagination, and meaningful interactions, rather than through direct instruction alone. It values the child's natural curiosity and allows them to make sense of the world through hands-on experiences and self-directed play. At Learning Aloud, this approach is supported through storytelling, drama, and creative activities that encourage children to think critically, express themselves, and build connections with others. By combining play with purposeful learning opportunities, children develop essential skills in a way that feels joyful, relevant, and engaging.

Supporting behaviour and focus in early years classrooms, particularly in schools across Ireland, starts with strong relationships, clear routines, and a calm learning environment. Storytelling and creative play help keep children engaged while also developing their emotional and communication skills. Learning Aloud offers workshops and resources to help teachers use these approaches to promote attention, cooperation, and a positive classroom atmosphere.

Storytelling is a powerful educational tool that supports children's learning across schools, nurseries, and early years settings. It helps develop language skills, concentration, memory, and emotional understanding, all while fostering imagination and creativity. By listening to and engaging with stories, children build vocabulary, learn to interpret meaning, and begin to think critically about the world around them. At Learning Aloud, storytelling is used to spark curiosity and conversation, encouraging children to reflect, respond, and express themselves through talk, drawing, and play. Whether in a classroom, nursery, or home setting, storytelling offers rich, meaningful learning experiences that connect with children on a deep and lasting level.

A pedagogical story is a story used intentionally to support learning. It can help children explore ideas, understand emotions, develop language, and make sense of the world around them. These stories are chosen or created with a specific educational purpose in mind, often linking to a theme, value, or developmental goal.

Teaching refers to the act of delivering lessons or sharing knowledge with learners. Pedagogy, on the other hand, is the method and theory behind how teaching is carried out. It includes the principles, practices, and approaches that shape how learning happens. In short, pedagogy is the thinking behind the teaching.

Kitty offers customised research-led professional development tailored to early years settings, schools, and training organisations. These sessions help participants:

• Engage with current research in child development and education
• Explore storytelling as a tool for thinking, language, and emotional growth
• Reflect on and enhance their own pedagogical approaches
• Connect theory with everyday practice in meaningful ways

Each session is grounded in real-world insights from ongoing research and can be adapted to suit the specific needs of your setting or team.

Yes, Learning Aloud offers bespoke training sessions that are fully tailored to meet the needs of your setting. Whether you work in a classroom, nursery, or provide one-to-one support, sessions can be adapted to suit your team, goals, and context. Training can focus on specific themes such as storytelling, language development, or play-based learning, and is designed to be practical, reflective, and relevant. This personalised approach ensures that educators, teachers, and support staff receive meaningful professional development that can be directly applied to their everyday practice.

To book a training session or enquire about tailored support, simply use the contact form on the Learning Aloud website. Share a few details about your setting, the type of support you're looking for, and any specific goals or challenges you'd like to address. Whether you're interested in a one-off workshop, ongoing mentoring, or bespoke professional development for your team, Kitty will get back to you to discuss your needs and explore how Learning Aloud can help.

Research shows that family engagement is key to early childhood development. Learning Aloud offers accessible, evidence-informed workshops and talks for parents and carers, focusing on:

• The power of storytelling in language, emotional, and social development
• Simple and effective ways to connect through conversation and imaginative play
• Practical strategies grounded in child development research

Storytelling at home is a simple yet powerful way for parents to support their child's language development, creativity, and emotional wellbeing. It does not require books or props, instead, you simply use your voice with a willingness to share. You can recall personal stories from your own childhood, make up tales together, or retell traditional stories in your own words. Try setting aside a regular time each day for storytelling, such as before bed, or use everyday moments - like a car Journey as opportunities to spark a story. Encourage your child to join in, add their own ideas, or draw pictures based on the stories you have shared. Storytelling builds connection, fosters imagination, and creates a rich learning environment at home.