Lessons in Toy Commercials

Posted by Christine Alcott Dec 12, 2006

Ah, the holidays are here. Music plays serenely in stores, good movies abound, and television commercials promising the most amazing toys ever are plentiful. My children, ages 9, 7, and 4 1/2 (he never lets us forget the 1/2), are learning the true meaning of holiday advertising.

We laugh at the 4 (and 1/2) year-old. No matter what the toy is the commercial is advertising, he always sighs, "I want dat". This is true for cars, trucks, and video games, and for dolls, stuffed animals, and ballerina outfits. He has been caught by the music, the graphics, the promises. Whatever it is, he wants in that world of happy children playing.

What the commercials do not show are the broken parts, the kids who are bored after the first five minutes of the toy, the fact that the batteries run out after 15 minutes, and so on. Instead, the world of toy commercials is charming and perfect. Easy to become lost in, isn't it?

All the commercials and advertisments have become a wonderful learning opportunity in our house. We have been talking about what the real purpose behind these ads are, if my kids really believe the claims a particular toy is making, and what the advertisers are doing to attract the kids. So, my kids fall for it, but they know what they are falling for.

All this led me to research lesson plans on advertising. What I found were some great sites on internet safety, which is equally important. My favorite site was one with lesson plans on advertising on websites, and getting kids to think about what they are seeing. Check out the article on "Staying Internet Smart", homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/staying_internet_smart, for more information.

Happy Holidays!