In case you haven’t noticed, there is an election coming up soon in our country.  The primaries are over with and both major political parties have selected their candidates.  Social media is awash in memes and sound bites from both sides. There are lines being drawn in sand, and many adults are even getting a bit hot under the collar when their preferred candidate is disparaged. It’s a great time for talking politics with kids.

I know many friends who say they won’t be on social media or watch television because of the venom spewing back and forth.  However, do take the time to talk with your kids about politics and the upcoming election.

You may think they don’t notice, but they do. You may even HOPE they won’t notice, but they will. Imagine how this all looks to a child without an adult interpretation and filter. And there is no way to shield them from it, unless you go live under a rock somewhere. The election has been dominating the news and will soon dominate television commercials.  Even roadside signs will vie for our attention.

Now is the time to be talking to your kids about politics. Unless your family really does live under a rock (or you can literally put them there), the kids can and will know what’s going on with the election. Wouldn’t it be better if they hear your interpretation of events? Here are some ideas to consider.

Keeping It Positive

Now I realize that the campaigns are not likely to follow this rule.  Elections are full of mudslinging, attacks on character, and worse. However, you can control what comes out of your mouth.

It’s great to share your opinions, especially if you cite evidence.  You can tell how you feel about a candidate’s actions or his or her stances on important issues.  Be sure to share what you base your opinion on.

The things to avoid are sweeping character generalizations. It is one thing to say that a candidate is dishonest, and then go on to share why you think so. You can say that a candidate is of good moral character and give the evidence as you see it. It’s another matter altogether to tell your children that a candidate is a great (or a rotten) human being.  Be careful with strong emotion words like “hate” and “love,” as well.

Talking Politics with Kids in an Open Way

If they are old enough to talk, they are likely hearing you talk politics with other adults. Have some honest discussions with the kids, too. Answer their questions honestly. Share your reasoning and thought process as you come to your decision about who to vote for.  Make sure you are properly informed about the election process in this country. This way you will be prepared to help them unravel the mysteries of the Electoral College and other details of our national selection process.

Talk about the issues of the day. You can explain that people have different feelings about these topics, and share how you came to understand them in the way that you do.  Ask them to share their choice of candidates and tell why they like that person. Connect the politicians to their stances on issues, and share how that will influence voters.

Getting Everyone Involved

Finally, set a great example for your children by showing them how you are involved in the political process. Take them with you, if possible, to the voting booth when the time comes. If they are old enough and showing interest, check out some of the local political meetings. Point out the election officials in your area and describe their jobs. Sometimes there are even ways for children to show their support for candidates they prefer by handing out literature, using yard signs, or even simply reminding others to vote.

Working to resolve public issues is another great way to get kids interested in politics. Many issues have solutions that can be implemented at home. For example, if your child gets interested in helping the environment, try recycling a bit more or purchasing products with less packaging or finding ways to use less energy around the house. Use the media outlets to find out where each candidate stands on issues important to your child or to your family and share this information with the kids.

The Benefits of Talking Politics with Kids

In addition to creating more informed and engaged citizens, there are a number of great benefits to talking politics with kids.

• It builds reasoning skills. If you consistently demonstrate why you support your chosen candidates, your children will soon follow your example. Help them learn the various means of logical support and they will quickly discover they delight in poking holes in logic!
• It nurtures communication skills. Language learning is a process, and it takes years to fully develop. Help them on their way by teaching them how to articulate their views clearly and give evidence that supports those views.
• It increases conversational skills. Political views are nearly always a hot topic of conversation, especially during an election year. When your children learn to respect the give and take of conversation, they will be ready to interact with people of varying viewpoints at school, work and social situations.
• It creates empowerment. Children may not be able to vote, but someday they will. If they pay attention to the political process as youngsters, they may be more inclined to feel they have a say in government when they do end up at the polls.
• It develops independent thinking skills. It’s vital that kids learn to think for themselves. Otherwise, they are subject to way too much peer pressure and many other dangers. If you nurture political awareness, you will provide a safe way to practice critical independent thinking skills.

So what are you waiting for? Start talking politics with kids today!