Research studies on the influence of the viewing environment on children's attention to television and the amount of television viewed are reviewed, as well as control of television viewing through environmental design and what is known about the kinds of environments depicted on television. How television can influence the development of our…

The findings of six studies based on in-home observations of children's television viewing behavior as recorded by mothers, fathers, or other adults caring for the child are summarized and compared. The object of this research method is to determine child interest in the programs, the variability of interest within programs, the amount of series…

This 2-part report investigates the role of mass media in the lives of pre-school Scandinavian children. The first part presents a portrait of one child, giving a personal picture of the child's family life and her relationships to various forms of media. Part II continues the discussion of the role of media in children's lives, based on the…

Four reproducible pages containing activities to help children understand the effect of television, to question what they watch, to study how they use television, and to explore aural and visual awareness. (MT)

Describes the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) production model, a general process model utilized in the production of "Sesame Street" and all other CTW productions. The model's assumptions are explicated and its effectiveness is assessed using Scriven's logic of evaluation. (MBR)

Notes that the childrens' television program Sesame Street, is successful because the role of research throughout its seven years has been of major importance-the researcher is part of the crew. (Author/AM)

Since 1996, the "Arthur" program on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has featured stories about the challenges of childhood for children ages 3 through 8, illustrating problem-solving and communication skills as well as the importance of self-respect and respect for others. This booklet provides creative ideas for ways to incorporate…

Children viewed videotapes of "Sesame Street" characters discussing the sex appropriateness of some toys. In free play, the children chose toys identified as sex appropriate over a comparison group of toys not shown in the videotapes, but chose the comparison toys over videotaped toys identified as inappropriate for their sex. (Author/MJL)

The author describes some of the instructional programs currently available on educational television. She gives special attention to the series "ThinkAbout" for grades five and six, which emphasizes using skills in reasoning, studying, language arts, and math to solve everyday problems. (SJL)

Among the results of an examination of television programing listings during people's time (4:00 to 8:00 p.m.) on three commercial network-affiliated stations were that six of 21 identified program types accounted for 70.2 percent of the programing and that there was no significant difference between the three stations' program offerings. (GT)

An interview with National Education Association (NEA) Executive Director Terry Herndon probes the NEA's involvement and concern with television programing. The NEA has looked for ways to become a constructive influence on television programing. (CJ)

Examines forms of communication used in commercials to convey social stereotypes. (Forms refer to production techniques such as level of action or movement, pacing, camera techniques, and auditory features.) (PD)

Notes that the proposed regulation of children's television advertising may eliminate competition, increase consumer costs, and result in poorer programing. (RL)