Many parents avoid talking about politics with their children, but it is possible to raise a child to have an informed political consciousness. Kids are naturally curious, and many of the things they see around them – like disabled people being helped on buses or veterans selling poppies for charity – are part of political life.
Talk About It
By elementary school age, kids often begin to understand political parties and the separation of local, state and federal government. This is a great time to introduce more in-depth information about politics and how the United States works.
It’s also a good idea to reinforce classic lessons from kindergarten: Show respect for people who don’t look like or think like you. Use books such as Bad Kitty for President or the acclaimed children’s book on women’s suffrage Around America to Win the Vote to teach kids that a person’s opinion or viewpoint doesn’t automatically make them an enemy.
At this age, kids start to learn about the minutiae of legislation and the process of getting laws passed. But abstract concepts still tend to elude them. A healthy balance of fact-based discussions and open-ended questions helps a child move from limited, stark political understanding to wrapping their heads around nuanced, conceptual issues. It’s also important to talk with kids about the need for compromise and that there are different ways to view a situation or problem.
Make the Law Come Alive
Kids are drawn to social issues from a young age, and this interest can be used to cultivate their political consciousness. Whether it’s a homeless person on the street asking for donations, a veteran handing out poppies or an election poster in the window, these moments can offer great teaching opportunities.
Children are curious and able to understand much more than we might think, though the level of detail they can comprehend will change as they grow older. It’s best to let your child guide the conversations, and to respond at their developmentally appropriate level.
Explaining how laws are made can help children see politics as an everyday process, and can make it seem less daunting. A good place to start is by talking about how a bill becomes a law. First, a member of the House or Senate introduces a bill. Then it goes to a small group of representatives or senators called a committee. If the committee likes the bill, it gets passed and becomes a law.
Make Politics Fun
Even if your child is not old enough to vote, helping them become a civic-minded citizen requires more than just a discussion about political parties and legislation. Educators recommend using books that introduce the basics of government and politics to help kids learn about citizenship, history, and current events.
Talk to them about how politicians use words and images to convey their message and decode political advertisements on television, social media, and the internet. If they are old enough to watch the national news, make it clear that some information is biased and can be misleading or even false.
Show them how elections work by having them vote for class president or other school roles. This helps them understand how the voting process works and that they have a voice in their community. They will also see that their opinions matter – and that it is okay for them to have differing opinions from others.
Vote
Having open discussions about politics and voting can help kids develop their own opinions. However, parents should steer clear of bad-mouthing political figures or positions in front of their children. Children can process only so much negativity before they start to lose interest.
Instead, focus on empowering kids by teaching them how to act on their beliefs. Encourage them to write or call their political representatives about things they care about. This shows them that even though they may not be able to vote, their voice still matters.
It’s also important to emphasize that growing a political consciousness involves being able to discern between fact and fiction. Explain that media outlets often promote their own favored views and that there are many different viewpoints on any given issue. Reading books like Charlie and Lola I Would Like Actually to Keep It by Lauren Child, The Butter Battle by Dr Seuss, and Potty Politics by Terry Deary are great ways to show kids how to interpret facts.