This study asks: 1) Do children that spend more time reading with their parents watch less TV? and 2) Does the association between parent-child book reading and TV-viewing vary depending on family structure (e.g. single-parent v. two-parent home), mother’s level of education, household size, and whether the child attends daycare?

Dr. Nathanson began with an overview of children’s media habits in recent history, discussed three studies that she has recently conducted, and closed the talk by explaining that shared media experiences between caregiver and child can increase interactions, facilitate bonding, and encourage discussion about sensitive topics.