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Life of a Child TodayThursday, February 3, 2005

Ready To Learn SeminarA Child’s Life: Learning, Literacy and the Role of Media

Baltimore, MD

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Changing Demographics

Based on present immigration and birth rates, the U.S. will soon become a “minority majority” – a society in which minority groups constitute the majority.

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Changing Demographics

Hispanic households expected to grow from 5.5 million to 8.2 million by 2010.

In the U.S., there are 41.1 million family groups with children under 18.

Households with kids <18 that

are:

Today Projection: Year 2010

White

Black

Hispanic

30.1 million 31.8 million (+ 6%)5.5 million 5.7 million (+

3%)5.5

million

8.2 million (+

49%)Source: Roper ASW presentation - U.S. Census Bureau, 2001 Statistical Abstract (total exceeds 37.5 million because of Hispanic ethnicity/race overlap)

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Changing Demographics

Youth population will become increasingly diverse over the next two decades.

By 2020, minorities will make up nearly half of the youth market vs. 26% in 1980.

Percentage distribution of U.S. children under 18 by race/ethnicity 1980-2020

% growth rate2000-2020

Source: Roper ASW Presentation - U.S. Census Bureau, 2001 Statistical abstract

-16% (White children)

+40% (Hispanic children)

+13% (Black children)

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1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

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The Language Gap

• 65% of U.S. Hispanic children are born to foreign-born parents.

• They are more likely to learn Spanish at home as their first language during their formative years (0-5 years old).

Source: 2003 Pew Center for Hispanic Research & Marketing to Latinos, I. Valdes

Primary Language by Generation

71%

7%1%

22%

45%

21%

5%

44%

78%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

1st 2nd 3rd plus

Spanish Bilingual English

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The Language Gap-Impact

• Because Hispanic parents tend to stay closely involved during their children’s formative years and also for economic reasons, only 39.8% of Hispanic children attend preschool.

• For children who do not speak English as their primary language, this may represent a challenge to school success.

SOURCE: 2001 US. Department of Education, NCES. National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES) Parent Interview: survey

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The Need

• Cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding have pressing relevance for ALL children.

• Media can help build children’s understanding of America’s diversity.

• There is a need…• To reflect back to children the world they see around them.

• To address any issues that arise for them in this increasingly diverse society.

• To help children get ready for school.

• To respond to these needs, Scholastic Entertainment created Maya and Miguel, a new animated series on PBS KIDS GO!

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• Accessible to all children, regardless of economic status.

• Highly visual medium and as such does not depend solely on language to communicate its messages.

• Model broad range of abilities and trial and error process.

• Can represent all races and ethnicities as people who are desirable to have as friends.

• Present role models.

What Television Does Best

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