Politics and religion are two topics that should not be discussed at the dinner table. We’ve all heard it, and while those two issues are fairly disputed, they should be able to be incorporated into our nightly talks with the correct knowledge.

This may be achieved by instilling in our children the importance of voting and knowing the issues at an early age. We will be able to develop good and polite citizens if we start teaching these values at a young age.

But how can you do that when kids are continually exposed to hate and untruths in the news and via conversations? We offer a few suggestions for educating your child on how to engage in democracy, both purposefully and respectfully.

It’s All About the Concept

No matter how young your child is, they will understand the broad concept of everyone having a say in their choices. They can also recognize that the majority’s decision is frequently correct. You may make this concept clear by holding a little election at home.

Set up the “election” so that everyone may vote on what movie to watch on Friday night supper or what movie to watch on family movie night. No matter what you’re voting on, let everyone make their case for why their concept is the best, and then cast your vote. It will make the process more enjoyable and will give them a greater understanding of what democracy is.

Sharing and Respect

Sharing your beliefs with your child is one of the best ways to help them begin to form their own opinions about government and voting. Explain why you voted the way you did.

However, by doing so, you may also make the debate more productive by debating the opposition’s viewpoints. Courteously do this and show your youngster that it is okay to have opposing viewpoints. This will teach children how to politely disagree, which is an important element of a functioning democracy. 

Election Results & Math

You may also incorporate some teaching into the strategy to get your children involved in government and voting. When analyzing election results, utilize your math abilities to understand what is happening in the races.

You may use jars and candies, and when the results come in, the number of candies in each jar is in proportion to the number of votes received by each candidate. This will provide an excellent visual representation of what is going on and will allow kids to apply their math abilities as well.

Finally, consider the following:

Voting is one of the most effective instruments we have for effecting change. Teaching your child how to be a good citizen and the importance of voting at a young age can help ensure a future in which everyone is equally represented in government.