Loss of educational progress during the summer can be minimized by watching and participating in public television series designed to teach children out of school. Three series, Reading Rainbow, 3-2-1 Contact, and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, are discussed. (MT)

The rapid, disjointed, and vivid style of Sesame Street may impede rather than promote progress toward literacy and the development of voluntary attention. It robs children of the ability to create mental pictures. Contends that it is a failure as an instructional medium. (DM)

Noting that helping children deal with the ups and downs of friendship is one of the challenges parents face, this activity booklet provides a read-aloud story for parents to share with their children to help them deal with friendship and peer relationships. The story features the Public Broadcasting System characters Arthur and his sister D.W.,…

Most children spend more time with media than in school and much more time with media than in meaningful conversation with their parents. Recent research demonstrates how the media act as powerful influences on children's development--on their behaviors, attitudes, language, and values--from the earliest ages. This booklet is intended to help…

Adapted from a series of 20 monthly columns which originally appeared in Highlights for Children, Inc.'s "Newsletter of Parenting," the material in this booklet explores: (1) ways in which television influences viewers; (2) what television teaches; and (3) some positive aspects of television. It also suggests activities for parents which…

Measures children's attention to television programs varying in pace and continuity and assesses recall of the temporal sequence of program events. Attention and comprehension covaried more in animated than in live shows. Age, continuity, and pace effects on recall were not fully accounted for by their effects on attention. (Author/AS)

Many experts agree that high-quality television can be an excellent supplement to active learning in the classroom and at home. This guide contains activities for children ages 3 to 6, each activity incorporating a theme or topic related to an episode of "Arthur," a Public Broadcasting System program for young children. Many of the…

Noting that starting school is a major milestone for young children as well as for their parents, this activity booklet provides a read-aloud story for parents to share with their children to help them feel confident and comfortable in school. The story features the Public Broadcasting System characters Arthur and his sister D.W., and includes…

Noting that sibling conflict, although common, can be stressful to family members, this activity booklet is designed as a resource for families to help children learn how to work out their arguments and enjoy each other's company. The activity booklet provides a read-aloud story for parents to share with their children featuring the Public…

The new television rating system provides parents with indicators of whether programs are appropriate for children according to age. The guidelines specify sex, violence, coarse language, and suggestive dialog within each program. The paper describes why ratings are important, who creates them, and how children's shows are rated. A sidebar…

"Between the Lions" is a Public Broadcasting System program promoting literacy for children ages 4 through 7 years combining state-of-the-art puppetry, animation, live action, and music to achieve its mission of helping young children learn to read. This guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, provides literacy activities for…

This discussion of opportunities for gifted children offered by television watching focuses on the role television can play in their intellectual and social development. Topics discussed include implications for parents, educators, and researchers; children's perceived reality of television content; and television as an educational device. (MBR)

"Between the Lions" is a Public Broadcasting System program promoting literacy for children ages 4 through 7 years combining state-of-the-art puppetry, animation, live action, and music to achieve its mission of helping young children learn to read. This guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, provides literacy activities for…

Intended for both childcare professionals and parents, this book lists activities from episodes of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood television program, and can be used with or without watching the program. Each activity is assigned a number which corresponds to the television episode in which the activity is featured, and a national PBS Broadcast…

"Between the Lions" is a Public Broadcasting System program promoting literacy for children ages 4 through 7 years combining state-of-the-art puppetry, animation, live action, and music to achieve its mission of helping young children learn to read. This guide, in English- and Spanish-language versions, provides computer literacy…