It is widely acknowledged today throughout our society that children must build a strong foundation of language and literacy skills at an early age if they are to prosper in school and beyond. Scientifically-based research has validated this general understanding and government initiatives have placed this need at the forefront of our educational mandate.

While there is no substitute for the conversations a child has with an adult such as a parent or teacher, television does afford opportunities to enhance overall language and specific vocabulary skills beyond what can be attained through personal interactions. Through conscious and creative programming, the time children spend watching television, rather than detracting from their language and literacy growth can alternatively be a medium for advancing these capabilities. What television offers is the possibility of carefully controlling the input to the child in a medium that children have access to and interest in. By drawing upon scientifically-based research to design that input, substantial learning possibilities are created. In terms of building toward key aspects of language and vocabulary development, television programming can offer these important opportunities. Television can be a powerful tool for engendering the enduring love of language and words necessary for children’s deep vocabulary acquisition and overall literacy success.

The following three goals serve as a model for harnessing the educational opportunities a program such as WordGirl offers.

Goal #1: To engage children in a language-filled world that will provide a meaningful context and rich experiences to help build children’s deep word knowledge and engender a lifelong enthusiasm for language.

Goal #2: Direct instruction of important targeted vocabulary words presented in multiple and interesting contexts in order to build children’s deep word knowledge and overall vocabulary interest.

Goal #3: To provide role-models for children illustrating the power of words within a rewarding social/emotional and cultural context that includes positive character models from groups underrepresented or negatively stereotyped in the mainstream media, promoting the value of our diverse society.