Tape favourite shows for later viewing. By taping ahead you can zap through the commercials and save TV watching for times when it does not interfere with other valuable activities.

Choose commercial-free television whenever possible. Canada has lots of high-quality, commercial-free, educational programming for children. Avoid shows that are just program-length commercials for spin-off merchandise.

Create a video tape library. Young children love to watch the same programs over and over again so it’s worth the investment to buy some high quality children’s programs on video or to tape seasonal "specials" that they can enjoy the year round.

Use your public library. Most public libraries now offer a large selection of children’s videos. Many Canadian libraries also have National Film Board collections that include many high quality children’s productions.

Use the mute button. TV advertisements are designed to be extremely engaging to kids. Muting the sound when commercials are playing will lessen their seductive power.

Use commercial time for fun activities. Get snacks during commercials or use the time to get children moving by having them stretch, run around the room or do somersaults.

Educate kids about advertising. Help kids understand that commercial TV is a business - and its job is to sell viewers to advertisers. Explain that marketers spend a lot of money trying to convince people to buy their products—a thirty second commercial often costs more to produce than a thirty minute TV program. Talk about common strategies used in commercials aimed at kids. Look for words that come up again and again in advertising. Help children learn to question the claims made in commercials.