Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia
Abstract
This study examines the television viewing patterns of primary school children. The major questions this study asks are; -How much time do children spend watching television texts? -What types of programmes do children watch? -Who chooses what children watch? Previous work on children\u27s television viewing patterns is discussed; this indicates that (a) viewing patterns are influenced by the age of the child and the mode of access available to the child, and (b) educators are responsible for the development of children\u27s visual literacy. To ascertain the nature of children\u27s television viewing patterns, a questionnaire was administered and viewing record timetables completed. This enabled identification of viewing patterns of children of different age and sex. These patterns may be used to develop guidelines for the teaching of visual literacy in respect of television texts
