Can television really develop your
child’s language?
Picture the scene – it’s late, you’re tired, and the kids are
all wide awake in the middle of the night. So, you switch on a show and let
your child watch until they fall asleep. Is this bad? No its not. You’re
actually helping your child with learning! But – you still feel guilty? Don’t
you?
As parents we always want the best for our
children. Even though children are taught in school, home is the first and greatest
environment for our children to learn in. Isn’t it? Do you teach your child at
home?
Fortunately, there are so many attributes
that are available for you and your child that will support your child’s
literacy. Jerome Bruner claimed that ‘child’s environment plays a big role in
their language development’. One characteristic is TV shows because children
learn with the help of others ‘More Knowledgeable Other’ (MKO) and watching
educational shows will help them with learning and engaging with others. Television
in this case will be like MKO?
So what’s the evidence?
According to Heather L, et al (2008) “findings suggested that well-designed,
age appropriate, educational television programmes and toys can be beneficial
for children and enhance their ability to learn further”. Television can really
teach our children with spoken and written language. If you need further
convincing, Mumsnet is a website that shows articles and topics about children.
I advise all parents to check this and take in the key information on
children’s learning.
So is it that simple? Well… choosing
the right program is essential. The most effective children’s TV shows are
Peppa Pig, Dora the Explorer, Magic Hands, and Alphablocks. Magic Hands is a show
that teaches young children poetry and British Sign Language. Therefore,
children will learn sign language that will later benefit it they meet someone
that requires this. These programs are all classified as educational shows
because they teach children even without you knowing.
Dora the explorer is a good way
to teach your children language as it features some Spanish phrases. This way
not only your child will be learning English they will also learn a foreign language
that will later benefit them. Wouldn’t you want your child to be step ahead
when learning a language is school? Yes? Noam Chomsky states that ‘it will be
harder for an older person to learn a foreign language however; learning a new
language from an early age will be more effective’. Start now, so that your
child can be fluent when they are older.
Finally, Peppa Pig is a great
show for children as they can learn the main aspects of life, going to the
playground, school, bike riding, and family time. This will help your children
to be interactional and help their self-esteem while talking with others. Peppa
with her cheeky smile and even cheekier attitude has become a hit with children
because children like to follow her around and be in her story. This will help
children to be more creative and imaginative when they create their own story.
This is a great tool when starting school or whether your child is in school
already. Wouldn’t their teachers be impressed?
So the next time you’re up in
the middle of the night. Switch on your child’s favourite TV show and just
relax. You are helping!
