Today is Election Day: when choices are made and votes are
cast for a better tomorrow. As voters go to the polls, some are considering how the choices of today will affect our children. Another question to ask ourselves as parents is, what are we teaching our children about the right to vote? Is this something that we place value on in our homes? How do we get the next generation involved now?
- Demonstrate how a vote works. Allow children to vote for the best dinner candidate or the best school outfit for tomorrow. Encourage your children to be responsible voters by investigating and questioning each “candidate.” Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. For example, would shorts be a good choice when snow is predicted in the weather forecast? Probably not.
- Read to your children about the election. Discuss past presidents. There are several age appropriate selections available.
- Promote patriotism by attending a parade where a candidate will appear. Allow your children to participate by giving them an American flag to wave while in the crowd.
- Keep politics positive. While most of us align more with one party or the other. Encourage your children to attempt to understand both sides of an issue. This is a skill that will carry over into other aspects of life.
For more ideas on how to make better future citizens, visit sites like VolunteerMatch, Do Something and The Volunteer Family .