Media Research: Middle Childhood
and Preteen Messages
Conduct a study of media messages
from the perspective of children in the stage of middle childhood.
1. Visit a mall, visits shops in
the mall, study store window displays, notice billboards, review popular
magazines such as at supermarket check-out counters and in book stores/drug
stores, discuss prime-time television programs and commercials, discuss major
motion pictures that are PG-13 rated, listen to music on popular radio
stations.
2. Identify a theme of the data
collected, which implies a message to children, and base your paper and
presentation on that theme. Prepare a four-to-five-page paper (350 words per
page or Power Point Presentation).
3. The theme may be of any nature
– such as beauty as a cultural value, fitness/health, aggression, sexuality,
commitment, or something else. It might be positive or negative.
4. Include reference to
theoretical material as you describe the impact you believe these media
messages have on child development.
