Effective Language for Communicating Children’s Issues

By Coalition for America’s Children

May 1, 1999

AECF Effective Languagefor Communicating Childrens Issues 1999

Read or Download the Report

88-page PDF

In This Report, You’ll Learn

  • The public’s perception of children’s issues.
  • How people talk about children’s issues.
  • How local news influences attitudes about childcare.
  • How to communicate key messages about violence.

About This Report

Summary

This report addresses the media’s depictions of children’s issues and outlines the effective use of strategic communications to change the way these issues are framed in order to support policy and outreach work. Policy issues highlighted in the report were identified by KIDS COUNT grantees in a September 1998 survey. 

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

Effective communication can help shape public understanding of issues impacting children

A survey of media headlines indicated that stories about children were more compelling than any other news topic, and that nearly all the news about children was negative or sensational. In order to change this paradigm, advocates for children should:

  • Use data to illustrate “programs that work.”
  • Tell the stories behind the numbers.
  • Include businesses in the conversation.
  • Help the public understand how they can be part of the solution.
  • Show how children’s issues are interrelated.
  • Build relationships with local media.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations