The value of Barney & Friends' educational influence on children has been well documented. Yale University's Family Television Research & Consultation Center produced a series of studies on Barney & Friends, concluding that the show has a very positive educational impact on young children. The show particularly influences language development, one of the early indicators of future success in school, according to the Yale researchers.
In their first study, Drs. Jerome and Dorothy Singer of the Yale Center reported that Barney & Friends was "nearly a model of what a preschool program should be." Later studies indicated that Barney & Friends' positive influence extends to children of culturally diverse and low-income groups. Teachers who took part in the study reported that after viewing Barney & Friends, occurrences of violent and aggressive play were reduced among preschool students. In a study by the Singers, their research illustrates that Barney & Friends helps children be better prepared to enter a structured learning environment. According to the study, episodes in this series were especially strong in dealing with pro-social behaviors and with emotion. "...Barney & Friends continues to be a television series that adds much to our nation's goal to 'ready' children for school." (Singer & Singer, 1999)