Mediating Digital Narratives: Parental Roles in Enhancing Multimodal Literacy for Early Childhood

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v10i1.7490

Keywords:

Parental Mediation, Digital Children’s Literature , Multimodal Literacy, Early Childhood, Digital Narratives

Abstract

This study explores how parental mediation in digital children’s literature enhances multimodal literacy in early childhood. It analyzes the experiences of eight mothers of children aged 5–6 years, gathered through asynchronous written interviews and examined using thematic analysis. The findings demonstrate that multimodal features of digital narratives, such as visuals, audio, and interactive elements, stimulate vocabulary growth, narrative comprehension, and creative expression. Crucially, these outcomes are strengthened when parents actively co-read, guide discussions, and critically select appropriate content. The study highlights that digital literature extends beyond entertainment to become a pedagogical tool for literacy development when mediated effectively. It further underscores the need to integrate digital narratives into early childhood education, aligning them with contemporary pedagogical strategies emphasizing parental involvement, multimodal engagement, and balanced screen-time management.

Downloads Statistics

Download data is not yet available.

References

Berson, I. R., Luo, W., & Yang, W. (2022). Special Issue: Narrowing the Digital Divide in Early Childhood: Technological Advances and Curriculum Reforms. Early Education and Development, 33(1), 183–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.1989740

Boyle, S., McCoy, A., McNaughton, D., & Light, J. (2017). Using Digital Texts in Interactive Reading Activities for Children with Language Delays and Disorders: A Review of the Research Literature and Pilot Study. Seminars in Speech and Language, 38(4), 263–275. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604274

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic Analysis: a Practical Guide. SAGE Publications.

Bus, A. G., Takacs, Z. K., & Kegel, C. A. T. (2015). Affordances and Limitations of Electronic Storybooks for Young Children’s Emergent Literacy. Developmental Review, 35, 79–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2014.12.004

Büyükta?kapu Soydan, S., Alakoç, D., Karaçelik, E., & Çelik, E. S. (2025). The Effect of Reading Interactive E-books and Printed Books on Children’s Early Literacy and Working Memory Performance. Early Child Development and Care, 195(5–6), 422–436. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2025.2501105

Chaudron, S. (2015). Young Children (0-8) and Digital Technology: A Qualitative Exploratory Study Across Seven Countries. Technical Report by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, July, 528. https://doi.org/10.2760/294383

Fam, J. Y., Juhari, R., Kääriäinen, M., & Männikkö, N. (2025). Reconsidering Parental Mediation with New Media Technology. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2025.1495954

Helsper, E. J., Veltri, G. A., & Livingstone, S. (2024). Parental Mediation of Children’s Online Risks: The Role of Parental Risk Perception, Digital Skills and Risk Experiences. New Media & Society, 14614448241261944. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241261945

Hermawati, N. S., & Sugito, S. (2021). Peran Orang Tua dalam Menyediakan Home Literacy Environment (HLE) pada Anak Usia Dini. Jurnal Obsesi?: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(3), 1367–1381. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i3.1706

Heydon, R., Akiwenzie, ElCooper, E., Ghannoum, H., Havord-Wier, D., Johns, B., MacAlpine, K.-A., McKee, L., Nagle, J., Neeganagwedgin, E., Potts, D. P., Poczobut, S., Coelho, C. R., Stooke, A., Tran, A., & Zhang, Z. (2023). Guidelines for Virtual Early Childhood and Family Learning: An Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization-informed Systematic review of the Literature. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 22(2), 180–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X231188466

Krouwel, M., Jolly, K., & Greenfield, S. (2019). Comparing Skype (Video Calling) and In-person Qualitative Interview Modes in a Study of People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-an Exploratory Comparative Analysis. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-019-0867-9

Kucirkova, N. (2019). Children’s Reading with Digital Books: Past Moving Quickly to the Future. In Child Development Perspectives (Vol. 13, Issue 4, pp. 208–214). Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12339

Kucirkova, N., & Flewitt, R. (2020). Understanding Parents’ Conflicting Beliefs about Children’s Digital Book Reading. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 22(2), 157–181. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798420930361

Lafton, T., Wilhelmsen, J. E. B., & Holmarsdottir, H. B. (2024). Parental Mediation and Children’s Digital Well-being in Family Life in Norway. Journal of Children and Media, 18(2), 198–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2023.2299956

Lim, F. V. (2024). Multimodality and Learning: Desiderata for Designing Social Futures. In V. Tavares (Ed.), Empowering Language Learners in a Changing World through Pedagogies of Multiliteracies (pp. 21–39). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51889-8_2

Livingstone, S., & Blum-Ross, A. (2020). Parenting for a Digital Future: How Hopes and Fears about Technology Shape Children’s Lives. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190874698.001.0001

Livingstone, S., & Byrne, J. (2018). Parenting in the Digital Age The Challenges of Parental Responsibility in Comparative Perspective. Media and Communication, 6(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v6i2.1291

López-Escribano, C., Valverde-Montesino, S., & García-Ortega, V. (2021). The Impact of E-book Reading on Young Children’s Emergent Literacy Skills: An Analytical Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126510

Marsh, J., Hannon, P., Lewis, M., & Ritchie, L. (2017). Young Children’s Initiation into Family Literacy Practices in the Digital Age. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 15(1), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X15582095

Moon, Y. K., & Shin, B. W. (2025). The Effects of Mother’s Media Literacy, Verbal Interaction, and Children’s Learning Behaviours on Korean Preschoolers’ Digital Literacy Development. Early Child Development and Care, 195(5–6), 437–458. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2025.2505476

Neumann, M. M. (2018). Using Tablets and Apps to Enhance Emergent Literacy Skills in Young Children. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 42, 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2017.10.006

Nikken, P., & Opree, S. J. (2018). Guiding Young Children’s Digital Media Use: SES-Differences in Mediation Concerns and Competence. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(6), 1844–1857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1018-3

Nur Inten, D., Mulyani, D., & Aziz, H. (2023). Mother and Children Literacy Model at Home. KnE Social Sciences, 8(18 SE-Articles), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v8i18.14200

OECD. (2023). Empowering Young Children in the Digital Age. https://doi.org/10.1787/50967622-en

Qu, F., He, S., Yu, F., & Gu, C. (2025). The Impact of Electronic Device Use on Learning Quality in Young Children: The Mediating Role of Executive Function and the Moderating Role of Parental Mediation. Frontiers in Public Health, 13(August), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1609878

Rudnova, N., Kornienko, D., Semenov, Y., & Egorov, V. (2023). Characteristics of Parental Digital Mediation: Predictors, Strategies, and Differences among Children Experiencing Various Parental Mediation Strategies. In Education Sciences (Vol. 13, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13010057

Satriana, M., Haryani, W., Sutriany Jafar, F., Maghfirah, F., Dewi Nurliana Sagita, A., & Ananda Septiani, F. (2022). Media Pembelajaran Digital dalam Menstimulasi Keterampilan Literasi Anak Usia 5-6 Tahun. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini Undiksha, 10(3), 408–414. https://doi.org/10.23887/paud.v10i3.51579

Soyoof, A., Reynolds, B. L., Neumann, M., Scull, J., Tour, E., & McLay, K. (2024). The Impact of Parent Mediation on Young Children’s Home Digital Literacy Practices and Learning: a Narrative Review. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 40(1), 65–88. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12866

Strouse, G. A., & Ganea, P. A. (2017). A Print Book Preference: Caregivers Report Higher Child Enjoyment and More Adult–child Interactions when Reading Print than Electronic Books. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 12, 8–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2017.02.001

Strouse, G. A., Troseth, G. L., & Stuckelman, Z. D. (2023). Page and Screen: Storybook Features that Promote Parent-Child Talk During Shared Reading. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 86, 101522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2023.101522

Sutarsih, T., & Maharasi, K. (2023). Statistik Telekomunikasi Indonesia 2022.

Symons, K., Ponnet, K., Vanwesenbeeck, I., Walrave, M., & Van Ouytsel, J. (2020). Parent-Child Communication about Internet Use and Acceptance of Parental Authority. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 64(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2019.1681870

Takacs, Z. K., Swart, E. K., & Bus, A. G. (2015). Benefits and Pitfalls of Multimedia and Interactive Features in Technology-Enhanced Storybooks: A Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 85(4), 698–739. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654314566989

Taylor, G., Sala, G., Kolak, J., Gerhardstein, P., & Lingwood, J. (2024). Does Adult-child Co-use during Digital Media Use Improve Children’s Learning Aged 0–6 Years? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 44, 100614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2024.100614

Turco, R. G., Rowe, M. L., & Blatt, J. H. (2023). Exploring Parent Profiles in Parent–child Interactions with E-books. First Language, 43(4), 380–406. https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237231160242

Downloads

Published

03-01-2026

Check Article Index

How to Cite

Maylani, I., Putri, F. R., & Nihlah, A. K. (2026). Mediating Digital Narratives: Parental Roles in Enhancing Multimodal Literacy for Early Childhood . Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 10(1), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v10i1.7490