Election day is my Super Bowl. I watch the returns with nervous excitement – although in recent years, the nerves have sometimes outweighed the excitement. Regardless, it’s an event I celebrate because it represents what makes our country so special. We have the privilege to choose our elected officials and the future of our towns, cities, states and country. And while political discourse is not always child-friendly, it is this privilege and responsibility that we can share with our kids.
But how? How do we involve kids in the November election in an age-appropriate way?
Talk It Out
We can’t ignore that this election season—and the presidential race in particular – contains troubling issues and adult themes: threats of violence at the polls, ugly and denigrating language, and attacks on American institutions. Children of all ages are likely to hear political talk at school, from friends, from other adults in their circle or from the media. And they’re likely to have questions.
Allison Cohn, LCSW-C of Cohn Counseling in Bethesda, Maryland, recommends simplifying political discussions to focus on core values.
- For younger children (preschool through elementary school), she suggests focusing on principles like kindness and fairness.
- Parents can also use these difficult conversations to teach children about critical thinking, emphasizing that not everything we hear is true.
- Cohn recommends building trust by always being honest, even if honesty means admitting that you do not know the answer. “Most of the time our children want to feel supported and heard; it’s amazing how little we as parents have to say to give our children what they are looking for: support.”
For preteens and teens, Cohn similarly recommends keeping information simple while taking into account their burgeoning independence and individual temperaments.
She advises parents to “respect their growing independence and reinforce that their opinions matter, encouraging open exploration of their questions together.” Parents can guide social media use by teaching kids to verify facts before sharing or reacting. And, as with their younger children, parents can focus on how policies align with the family’s core values and validate their children’s concerns.
Encouraging young people to express their thoughts and feelings can help turn a political discussion into an opportunity to connect.
Let Books Be a Guide
Books can be an effective tool for teaching children about civics and for guiding discussion. There are several options on the market about politics, including the following:
- Everyone Gets a Say by Jill Twiss (picture book)
- V is for Voting by Kate Farrell (picture book)
- Act by Kayla Miller (graphic novel)
- Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote by Andrea Beaty (chapter book)
- Running by Natalia Sylvester (young adult novel)
You can also engage children (particularly preteens and teens) on a more issue-based level. Are they passionate about climate change? Reproductive rights? Explore those topics together. Children don’t need to be of voting age or even to support a particular candidate to be civic-minded and affect change.
Political Campaigns and Events
So, what kinds of political events can you share with your children? It might be easier to discuss the ones not to share! If an event is highly charged and likely to become violent, it might not be safe to attend. Or, if an event is formal and expensive, that might not be the right fit. But overall, it’s never too early to expose children to the political process.
Most political campaigns welcome children. Marylanders in the DMV, for example, are closely watching the Senate race between Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan.
Alsobrooks has long involved children in her campaigns. In fact, in her 2010 race for Prince George’s County state’s attorney, her then-4-year-old daughter was her “best volunteer.” She believes that it is never too early to pass on the idea to children that they have the ability to impact their communities; it is “an obligation and responsibility that we all have.” In that spirit, Ms. Alsobrooks invites young people to join the campaign, attend parades, and help in the office to call voters and make sure they are aware of the election. What’s more, she enjoys hearing from the children themselves. “They really have astute things to say to their elected officials,” she says. Whether it’s about educational funding, gun violence, or other topics, Ms. Alsobrooks wants to hear firsthand the issues that young people care about.
Similarly, former Governor Larry Hogan believes that it is “key for children to get involved in politics and government to see how it all works firsthand.”
He explains that “[t]o protect the blessings of liberty for future generations of Americans, we have to show them why it’s so important – introducing them to politics and government is a great way to do that.” He, too, invites young people to get involved in his race: “Our nation’s future senators, governors, and presidents are more than welcome to jump on the trail and help out on my campaign!”
For families in Virginia and D.C., opportunities abound as well. Senator Tim Kaine, for example, regularly attends meet and greet events, and volunteers can help in a variety of capacities. But it’s not just about the presidential and senate races! Politics is local. Young people in D.C. might choose to get involved in the municipal races. While the Democratic primaries are often determinative for the DC Council general election, getting involved in municipal politics exposes young people to policies related to crime, housing, wealth inequality, economic development and education, among others.
Interested teens across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland can get involved with nonprofits to protect or encourage youth voting, including nonpartisan organizations like Rock the Vote. Teenagers 13 or older can pledge to register on Vote.org; they’ll receive a text on their 18th birthday with a reminder and help with voter registration.
Vote
Parades and rallies and books are great, but the number one thing you can do to involve your kids in the election is the simplest. Take them with you to vote! For the youngest kiddos, use the stickers as an incentive. For the oldest, perhaps they’ll feel a sense of civic duty or community. Either way, consider voting as a family on Tuesday, November 5. Hope to see you at the polls!
Jennifer Brechbill is a lawyer, writer and mom of three. You can find her on LinkedIn or Instagram (@jenniferbrechbill).
