Impacts of television viewing on young children's literacy development in the USA: A review of the literature

Abstract

Television viewing plays an important role in the lives of many young children and has received a great deal of attention in the public as well as in research. This review examined research on television and literacy development in early childhood, including studies of messages about literacy in children's programs as well as the impact of specific programs on young viewers' literacy development. Results indicate: (1) moderate amounts of television viewing were found to be beneficial for reading; (2) the content of programs viewed by children matters; (3) programs that aim to promote literacy in young children have been found to positively impact specific early literacy skills; and finally, (4) there are limitations to the existing literature. Suggestions for addressing these limitations were included, and future studies should focus on methodological, theoretical, and measurement issues in this area, in addition to exploring a wider variety of programs watched by young viewers.