Word learning from baby videos.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether children between 12 and 25 months of age learn words from an infant-directed DVD designed for that purpose.


METHODS
Half of the children received a DVD to watch in their home over the course of 6 weeks.


METHODS
All participants returned to a laboratory for testing on vocabulary acquisition every 2 weeks.


METHODS
Ninety-six 12- to 24-month-old children.


METHODS
Baby videos.


METHODS
Parent report and observational measures of vocabulary acquisition related to words highlighted in the DVD; parent report of general language development; and parent report of children's media use.


RESULTS
The age at first viewing of baby DVDs was related to children's general language development. There was no evidence of learning words highlighted in the infant-directed DVD independent of parental intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers should continue to examine whether infant-directed media are effective in teaching infants and toddlers content and consider the cognitive factors related to whether very young viewers should be expected to learn from a DVD.
Richert
Rebekah A
RA
Department of Psychology, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA. rebekah.richert@ucr.edu
Robb
Michael B
MB
Fender
Jodi G
JG
Wartella
Ellen
E
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032882:Comprehension; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013067:Speech Perception; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014741:Video Recording; D014825:Vocabulary