EVOLUTION OF CHILDREN’S YOUTUBE CONTENT FORMATS: FROM SKETCHES TO STORYTELLING

Abstract

The article focuses on the analysis of transformations in children’s content formats on the YouTube platform, particularly the shift from simple sketches to more complex forms of digital storytelling. The aim of the study is to identify the key features in the evolution of video content formats for children on YouTube in the context of changing approaches to education, entertainment, and digital information perception. The research employed general scientific methods of cognition: analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization, comparison, as well as content analysis of 48 video materials. The results of the study show that over the past decade, children’s YouTube content has undergone significant changes not only in terms of visual design but also in the structure of information delivery, where narrative elements have started playing a crucial role. It was found that early children’s content was mainly based on simple visual sketches that served an entertaining function and relied on repetitive actions, sounds, and basic plots. However, with the development of digital pedagogy, changes in parental expectations, and the influence of social learning theories, there has been a gradual shift toward videos incorporating storytelling—coherent narratives with moral, educational, or linguistic value. The study reveals that modern formats of children’s videos increasingly align with the principles of digital storytelling, which contributes to better material retention, emotional engagement with characters, and the development of language skills in children. It is shown that storytelling in children’s YouTube content allows for the integration of entertainment and educational elements, enhancing learning through empathy, attention, and identification with characters. Moreover, the use of storytelling aligns with the trends of humanizing education and considers the individual characteristics of children’s perception, making such videos an effective tool for informal learning in a digital environment. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential application of its findings for the development of high-quality, pedagogically sound video content for children.