Most parents are aware that commercials target their children. But it's not only during commercial breaks that kids are exposed to marketing ploys. Commercial messages are also effectively embedded in the stories, images, and games kids love. And it doesn't stop there: Celebrity endorsements, product placement, Internet pop-ups, and co-branding have also become common practice, pushing brand recognition on the youngest kids. Sports figures endorse everything from credit cards to deodorant while cartoon characters sell unhealthy snack foods - further promoting the rise of childhood obesity.

Advertising bombards kids at all times. With so many vehicles for kids to be "sold to," an "I want" craving is ingrained at a young age. In fact, kids under the age of 12 influence $500 billion in spending per year.

Helping kids understand that advertising is about persuasion can help them start identifying commercial messages. Clarifying "wants" from "needs" will help kids to make decisions independent from a marketed ideal.

For helpful tips on how you can talk to your kids about commercialism, read Selling to Kids.

Visit Common Sense Media for more information and research on the impact of advertising and marketing to kids.