Ages and Stages 7 to 9

What kids don't see on TV and in movies is as important as what they do, says Toronto animator and teacher Ellen Besen. In an article from the May 2010 issue of Parenting.com magazine, to increase the media literacy of by pointing out tricks that make things look more appealing than they are.

1. Brake up the shots. A scene with ice cream might make your child's tummy rumble, but the treat is probably fake because hot lights would make real ice cream melt. If he/she looks closely, they will notice the actress is not really eating the sundae after all.

2. Turn down the sound. Music is used to trigger emotional responses and redirect viewers' attention during commercials or action scenes, so help your child see the difference when it's lowered.

3. Master the moves. Remind your child that those pow! crash! wham! fighting scenes are pretend and, unlike in real life, no one gets hurt. Have him/her fall gracefully or stopping punches and kicks inches from targets.

4. Hand over your camera. Poorly attended concerts or sporting events can look packed, thanks to tight shots of fan-filled sections. Let her zoom in and out with your camcorder to see the difference.

5. Consider the odds. Have your American idol fan research the music industry to learn how to break into the business. Or ask, "Can 1,000 balloons really make a house fly?"