However formidable research challenges are inherent in determining how children under six evaluate television programs. Therefore, it is critical to conduct research with both children and their mothers. When designing research, it's important to consider the viewing environment of young children. Therefore, studying the channel changing behavior of preschoolers is not a research priority. Most of these school-age children do control both their program selections and the family's remote control.
Mothers have far less influence over the television viewing of their older children.
Special research for preschoolers The Viewing Lab has developed special techniques to test preschoolers' viewing of programs and station break elements. We needed innovative methods, because it was obvious that traditional research would not work with three-year olds. Young children don't understand standard research concepts and are reluctant to talk with strangers. So here is how the Viewing Lab conducted programming, research with pre-schoolers. There were toys on the floor, magazines on t he coffee table, snacks in the refrigerator, etc.