How Would You Explain an Ad to a 3 Year Old?

152
2.4M followers
Updated

My eldest daughter heard me and my wife discussing the word "ad" on TV and asked, "Daddy, what is an ad?".

Obviously I comprehend what an ad is. I understand advertising in intimate detail being in this space for quite some time, but I think I completely sabotaged my answer.

My question to you is this:

If you were going to explain to a 3 year old what an ad is, how would you explain it so they could comprehend it?

Looking forward to your answers.

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

0

"Daddy, what is an ad?"

[holy crap I have a daughter????]

"Well, an ad is a way to show people they need something. So when you want a new toy, you could probably come up with ways why Mommy & Daddy need that toy too, that way we go out and buy it, and that's how ads work."

The end.

[runs away into the night]
:)

LOL, brilliant man!

I have my moments! lol Thanks brother.

I would say: Well honey an add is a place where you can see all the wonderful things for you to play and have fun with; like your toys and whatever else she might like to play with and enjoy. It is a way other children can talk about something you may not yet know about if it wasn't for the Ad..... Honey You can see all the NEW and EXCITING wonderful things that you can have fun with. Then give her an example with what she has in her favorite play room or area......and explain to her by example that that is the way she decided what she wanted most of all by the ....Ad....

I'll take a stab at this, Kyle...

Good question, one of thousands you will get over the coming years lol...Here's my approach to an imagined conversation [must take place sharing a thick, creamy, sweet, and steamy hot chocolate or other preferred drink she has]:

Her: '"Daddy, what's an ad?"

You:

"An ad is a TV show or a sign or a symbol like the golden arches at McDonald's - It is something that when you see or hear it it makes you feel something inside that makes you want more of something...

Let's use your teddy bear [or whatever she may really be attached to] as an example..."

You love the teddy bear [or whatever toy she may like] right? [Wait for answer - likely yes]. If you saw a better looking teddy bear that promises to do more for you, would you want that? [Imagined response: No]

An ad is something that makes you want whatever it is the people showing the ad is selling...It can be anything and you have to think before deciding if you need or want what they are selling..."

Her:

"No Daddy, I love my bear...I would never want to lose her..."

Your response:

"Yes baby, that is what I mean...No matter how good something may look or how the ad makes you feel, you must think about whether you want to replace what you have already...

Your bear has been with you for a long time, and it is there for you now. Do you really need a new bear and would it add anything to what you have with your bear?

Her:

"No Daddy...No way!"

You (in your mind):

"Whew, just saved another $19.99 and started her down the path of using critical thinking - I am a great Dad!"

Cheers!
Dave : )

hahaha...that was really good :)

I agree, that was a stroke of brilliance there Dave. You are a natural, can I assume you have been through many conversations like this before with several kids and grandkids?

You betcha! : )

3 year olds rely on all their senses in learning, so I would explain what an ad is by using as many of those as possible.

• Let her see it: show her some TV ads (appropriate to her age).
• Let her touch it: take an item that is advertised, purchase it, and let her feel it.
• Let her taste it: hopefully the ad is a food, and it's something she likes.
• Let her smell it: similar to the suggestion above.
• Let her hear it: how do you hear a food item, so you could show her an ad about a musical instrument.

Kids have a wonderful ability to break things to their essence. I think we sometimes lose that as we get older. Since an ad is basically a story told through a visual medium, I would tell your daughter the following:

An ad is a really, really, really, short movie about things that people like daddy or mommy might like to have or buy for you.

If she knows what money is, show her the toys in a Sears Roebucks catalog or some toy store in your area. Dmorrow below has the right words. Maybe show her the adverts and then take her to get a toy that she wants from the catalog. She then, has experienced the advert. She will know what they are for, though she may not have the vocabulary for it.

I like it Daniel, you are a natural. :)

What is her favourite toy or book? How did she know of that toy or book. Well the person that makes the toy or wrote the book wants children like you to see the toy or book and if you like what you see you will ask mommy or daddy to get one for you That is what an ad does. That's the best I can do.

Yeah, that is pretty good!

I told my daughter the same as Eddy Salomon says. They ( adds makers) want you to ask me to buy something that you don't need, never use or already have it.. Every time she asked me about some commercial adds on TV, I have to go through pros and cons in order to convince her that this is not a good idea..We even read reviews on the product.. Thanks for affiliate fellow markets we can find many good reviews....

That is great and naturally when she gets to the point of reading, she will definitely be well versed in reviews. :)

I love when they start asking questions! I always find myself a bit flummoxed on how to explain the answers, and try really hard now to actually give answers instead of the old "you'll understand when you get older" cop-out answer! lol Anyway, I would have broken it down to whatever her very favorite toy or doll is at the moment and tried to explain that the company that makes that toy or doll created a short "show" on television to show children and parents the new versions of those items. Something along those lines, anyway!

It's people on TV showing us things that we might want to buy - like golf clubs for daddy or flowers for mommy or, even, a new toy for you. They hope you like what they show you so you will buy it from them - that's how they make money.

I think she would definitely understand that one. She is just learning how to make money with her chores (she puts the forks and spoons away), so I could definitely tie in that to "making money".

Can you tell I teach 3-5 year olds in Sunday School, lol?

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training