Teaching Persuasion through Commercials
Teachable Moments while Watching Television
Although commercials seem to be the annoying part of watching TV, watching those commercials in-between your favorite television show can become teachable moments for your children if you pay attention.
Commercials that Use Peer Pressure
When watching the commercial, pay close attention to what type of advertising the commercial using. Is the commercial trying to insinuate that "everyone is doing it" or "everyone who is anyone has this product"? This type of persuasion is the same as peer pressure that your children face every day.
Discussing this type of advertising should go hand in hand with a discussion on peer pressure. Is everyone actually doing it? Do all the “cool” people really have that product? Discuss ways to be popular or cool without having these products, or doing these things that their peers are pressuring them to do.
Commercials that Make Promises
Is the commercial trying to insinuate that if you get the product, something wonderful will happen to you? Discuss the reality of whether or not that will actually happen. Some examples are a soda commercial that alludes to the fact that if you drink that soda, you will get the guy or girl of your dreams or a commercial that eludes to the fact that if you buy their product, you will become beautiful, or smart or popular.
When discussing this type of advertising, find out what ideas your kids have about how to become beautiful or smart or to have stronger hair, or whatever else the commercial is promising. Talk about different alternatives to the products discussed that may accomplish the same thing and whether the promise made is truthful.
Commercials that Ask for Your Trust
Is the commercial trying to convince you that someone you would trust is telling you to buy the product? For example "doctor recommended" products may not be recommended by your doctor. One good example of this is the diet programs advertised. Many doctors would actually tell you that taking a “get thin quick” pill is NOT a healthy way to lose weight, despite the doctor recommended label on the commercial.
Make Your Own Commercials
After discussing the commercials on television, have your children try to write their own commercials to get you to buy something or eat something for dinner. Any type of persuasion can be done through a commercial, and having your children act it out is an excellent way to appeal to all learning styles.
Discussing commercials that your children watch is a wonderful way to teach your children about advertising methods. Teach them to think for themselves when deciding on a product, instead of allowing themselves to be persuaded by a commercial.
Check out other lesson plan ideas.
Teaching Persuasion through Commercials
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