How to Teach Your Child about the Electoral Process
Is your child wondering what all the television and newspaper fuss is about? Who are Clinton, Obama and McCain anyway? Whether she is a pre-schooler or a sixth grader, your child deserves to be educated on the once-every-four-year event of electing a president. Use simple, or for older kids, more real-world language, and you'll be amazed at how much they understand. But don't be surprised if one day you overhear your little one asking his schoolfriend, 'So....are you a Democrat or a Republican?' Read on to learn how to teach your child about the electoral process.
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Instructions
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Use vocabulary appropriate to the age. For younger kids, explain the major political parties as "teams." Use the terms Democrat and Republican (Bush's team) as you see fit. In terms of voters, note that Independents may choose either team. Make sure they understand that this only happens every four years, so it's a major event for America and the world.
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To explain the primary process, inform your child that Americans are voting for their team leader. One team is still deciding on who would make the best captain or leader. The one who voters decide is best will go on to the big (general) election or vote in November.
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Emphasize that all teams are OK. Grandma may belong to one team, and mom and dad to another. Or mom and dad may belong to separate teams. That's all right. Everybody is nice. We can all get along with each other.
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Allow the child to tune in to portions of the televised debates--explain how each one argues their side--or, as the parent, you can point out election photos in newspapers. For older children, let them check out interesting and appropriate newspaper headlines or articles. If the candidate is stopping by your town or state, all the better to catch the excitement. This is a great way to generate curiosity about current events and engagement in the democratic process, which can last a lifetime.
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Visit the library or bookstore where you can find introductory and fun children's books such as the classic "If I Were President," as well as newer books that have been published in view of the 2008 election: "Grace for President," "Otto for President" and "So You Want to Be President?" Reading is an entertaining way for children to begin to get a sense of what is going on around them politically, as well as to clear up some of their basic questions and misunderstandings.
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Let the kids see you vote, whether by mail-in or absentee ballot, or at the polling box. Stress the importance of voting, and let them see the excitement of young people organizing, canvassing or voting. After all, your own child may be marking a presidential ballot in just eight or 12 more years.
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Tips & Warnings
It helps to inform the kids about basic issues. For example, parents can explain the different sides on the war and citizens' concerns about healthcare in simple and non-scary terms.
