Television and child development
Judith Page Van Evra
Television and child development
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Judith Page Van Evra
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Television isn't just for fun—it's shaping how kids think, feel, and grow every single day! Surprising new research shows how screens can be both a helper and a challenge in a child's life. Understanding this can change the way we use technology forever.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This book offers an in-depth look at how television and other media influence children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. It includes updated research on various technologies and provides practical insights for parents and educators to help children benefit from media while minimizing negative effects. Suitable for middle-grade readers interested in understanding media's role in childhood growth.
Why we rated Television and child development 11LT
Television and child development is written at a Level 6 reading level across 278 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Television and child development works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Television and child development as 11LT ("Light — Thematic") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Television and child development explores science & nature, family, education, and technology — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, family, education.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LT — Light — ThematicNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0805848630
- Pages
- 278
- Publisher
- Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Incorporated
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Nonfiction