Children’s TV and video programs can become powerful learning tools with a simple press of a button. Turn on the Subtitles (TOTS) is an advocacy group that aims to promote automatic captions on these programs in order to boost literacy rates. By activating captions at home or having broadcasters and content providers make it default for six- to ten-year-olds’ programs, TOTS wants to raise awareness among parents. Extensive research supports the positive impact of captions, especially for struggling readers.
In India, a remarkable experiment showed that 70% of children who had access to captions became functional readers, compared to only 34% without. While captions alone may not be a complete solution, they can significantly contribute to children’s reading progress when combined with regular schooling and explicit instruction.
So let’s turn on the subtitles and get our children reading!
Love Eliza x