News literacy for pre-school parents

We discussed factors related to elementary school students watching the news, and what journalism literacy has to offer as advice to parents about guiding young children’s news viewing.

Among our conclusions:

Although some research suggests that young children become fearful as a result of watching TV news about crime and disturbing events, children are and always will be exposed to news in an environment of media convergence.

There is no reason why children under age 7 or 8 need to be directed to monitor television news. When they are exposed to upsetting content, parents should reassure them of their safety and security.

As early as possible, even prior to kindergarten, children should be taught basic lessons in making documentaries, in order to help socialize them to multimedia techniques of telling stories. Story telling with media is a natural gateway to news literacy. This will provide a foundation for their comprehension of how news works.

As is the case in many other nations, news produced for children should be part of children’s program diets. When possible, lessons in school should tie in to news for kids.