Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens

Chapter 11Nudged toward Conversational Duets

A few years ago, when PBS started developing apps to promote early literacy skills, it decided to make a concerted effort to help low-income families. What would work best for single mothers in poverty, for parents working the night shift or in and out of temporary jobs, for grandparents taking on the role of primary caregiver for their grandchildren? What would inspire them to talk with and read to their children? The network conducted focus groups of low-income parents and guardians, and one thing soon became clear, according to Sara Dewitt, vice president of PBS Kids Digital: “Being told, ‘You should read to your children every night’ was not received well.” It was off-putting and disheartening ...