Just A Little Politics: Simple Ways to Teach Children About Voting
Written By: Ambreia Meadows - Fernandez
As parents, we have many essential but understated roles. Often, we’re on the frontlines to ensure our children are prepared for the “real world.” Knowing how to form opinions, advocate for oneself, and make tough decisions are critical skills for our children to thrive. Becoming an informed voter allows us to apply many life lessons. When we teach our children about voting, we prepare them for something much bigger than the presidential election every year. It's an opportunity to learn important lifelong skills and shape our world.
The earlier we teach these lessons, the sooner they can feel empowered and see how their choices make a difference. This kind of early education gets them excited about participating in their communities and builds a stronger, more engaged democracy when they understand the value of their vote. Seeing how their involvement matters helps them feel connected and motivated to make a positive impact.
Here are some quick, simple ways to teach children about voting.
Talk to Them About the Past
Help your children understand the importance of voting by teaching them about historical figures who fought hard to secure this right, beyond Martin Luther King Jr. Start with the rich history of the Black women involved with the suffragettes and move to more modern generational figures like Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, and other civil rights leaders. This will show them that the struggles of past generations were for the benefit of everyone and that their efforts were not in vain.
Show Them with Today's Materials
Try organizing a mock election within your family or classroom on a topic that interests them, like choosing a movie to watch. You can also make the importance of voting more tangible by taking them with you when you vote and explaining what your family is voting on. Let them know it's okay to agree or disagree about the household vote as long as they understand that their perspective matters. Consider showing them community projects that were decided by local votes and take them to the school board or City Council meetings to familiarize them with discussions from a young age.
Connect Voting to Real-Life Impacts
Show your kids how voting matters by discussing how it affects their daily lives. For example, explain how voting can change things like school budgets, park upgrades, or neighborhood safety. Share stories or news about how voting has made a difference in your community. When they see how these decisions impact them directly, they’ll understand why voting is important.
Use Age-Appropriate Educational Resources
Read books like Everyone Gets a Say by Jill Twiss, which explores the importance of speaking up and using your voice so kids understand the value of sharing their perspectives. Try Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton for a fun introduction to elections. Websites like PBS Kids offer interactive games that explain the voting process and the importance of civic participation. These resources can supplement your teaching and provide additional context and engagement.
Encourage Discussions About Issues
Discuss the core values that guide your family's voting decisions. To help your children feel prepared, expose them to multiple perspectives on various issues. You don’t need to dive into complex topics like abortion or the death penalty right away—start with smaller, local issues to make it manageable and engaging for them. This approach will help them understand different viewpoints and the importance of being informed.