Training of media sign literacy and intelligence: Effects on preschoolers’ cognitive skills

Children's media sign literacy (MSL) has been identified as a predictor of knowledge acquisition from media and academic competencies, surpassing even intelligence. Based on this empirical finding, a tablet-based training program to enhance MSL was developed. In a pretest-posttest experiment involving 152 preschoolers, this training program was compared with an active control group, using a digital inductive reasoning (IR) training, and a passive control group, continuing with the daily preschool activities. Preschoolers' MSL, intelligence, and diverse academic precursors were assessed. Results demonstrated significant improvements in MSL among preschoolers undergoing the MSL training program. Unexpectedly, the IR training showed significant impact only on one of the four intelligence subscales, and participants in the MSL group even outperformed the IR group on another subscale. Both training programs significantly improved participants' letter knowledge, and the IR training furthermore significantly improved participants' phonological awareness. • Preschoolers' media sign literacy (MSL) and inductive reasoning (IR) were trained. • A pretest-posttest study compared both trainings with a passive control group. • MSL training improved MSL and had a marginal impact on fluid intelligence. • IR training improved preschoolers' phonological awareness and verbal intelligence. • The MSL and IR training both improved preschoolers' letter knowledge.