ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a brief review of recent changes in TV comprehension (some originating in Latin America) and how they have shaped notions of the child audience. Since the emergence of new TV programmes in the 1990s, these changes have led to a shift away from behaviourism towards a new representation of children in TV animation and a constructivist model of reception. This paper also proposes new strategies in education and TV communication. New TV programmes, as well as a constructivist approach to learning through the use of audiovisual media, can bring positive socio-emotional benefits, supporting a public policy for their systematic introduction in the children’s classroom.