Parents' Perceptions of Preschool Television

Abstract

Preschool television in the United States has received acclaim from parents and communication researchers for its high quality. Some of the most popular programs in this genre are those that feature Latino themes, such as Dora the Explorer, prompting inquiry into whether there are differences between Spanish- and English-speaking families in the frequency of viewing these shows. An analysis was conducted to determine the programs available to children prior to the distribution of a survey to parents of preschool-age children to assess viewing habits focusing on shows that have Latino themes. The data reveal that Spanish-speaking families have more favorable perceptions toward television in general and desire more Latino-themed programming, whereas English-speakers are more complacent about additional shows. Further, it was found that primary language is a stronger predictor than ethnicity in determining differences in overall perceptions of the influence of television and the desire for more Latino programming.