It doesn't matter if it's time to elect a president, a governor, or a local sheriff, the democratic process is something tweens should know about. While it will be 10 years or so before these children will cast their first official ballot, teaching tweens how their government is chosen is imperative. In fact, it's one of the easiest ways to inspire your child to become a responsible and involved adult.
Below are 10 steps you can take to help your child understand the election process and the American experience of the right, and privilege, to vote.
1. Do Your Research
StockxpertCheck out the various candidates on Facebook, or see if the candidates have anything to say on Twitter or YouTube. Discuss the issues of the election, be it local, state, or national. Explore the different viewpoints with your child, discussing the pros and cons of each position.
2. Find Age Appropriate Resources
Online resources are a great way to involve your tween in the election process. In 2000, an elementary school teacher created
a website to help children understand the 2000 Presidential Election. The site is updated regularly and features a great glossary of election terms, as well as riddles, word searches, mazes, and more. It's a fun, interactive site that teaches while kids have fun learning about the election process.
3. Read All About It
There are a number of wonderful children's books that inspire and teach readers about politics, elections, and voting including Vote! by Eileen Christelow, Max for President by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and Landslide! A Kid's Guide to the U.S. Elections by Dan Gutman.
4. Listen To A Debate
If the election is a state or national event, allow your tween to watch a debate or two, to get a sense of how the candidates differ on various issues.5. Take A Field Trip
Visit a campaign headquarters where volunteers work hard to spread their candidate's word to the public. Ask the volunteers how they campaign for their candidates, and why they think it's so necessary to be involved in the process.6. Get To Know The Candidates
Provide background on the candidates. Research their histories and talk about the events that might have shaped their opinions. Point out the hardships these people overcame, the challenges they met, and their patriotism and hope for a better future.
7. Share The History
Share the historical aspects of the election. Every election offers up some history in the making. In the 2008 presidential election the Democrats nominated a black American to lead their party. The Republicans tapped a working mom as the vice-presidential running mate. Point out that a few years ago, such a reality simply wasn't possible.8. Keep It Clean
Tweens don't need to be drawn into the ugliness of politics. Minimize exposure to trash talking pundits on the television and radio. Teach your tween that it's possible to disagree with an individual politely and with respect. Mastering that skill will serve your tween well into the future. 9. Vote Together
Take your tween with you when you vote. Show your son or daughter what a ballot looks like, and how you cast your vote. Make sure your tween understands that while we may enjoy the process of a democratic government, people in other parts of the world may have no say in their government or its laws.10. Watch The Results
On election night, consider allowing your tween to stay up to watch a few election results (but he'll probably have to wait until morning to hear the final outcome).
