Raising a Voter

From WikiParenting

The best way to teach a child the importance of voting is to be a voter yourself. Explain to your child how the government affects the world we live in, and how participating can effect change.

[edit] Start early

Preschool is not too young to begin explaining the process. Preschoolers can begin by learning about:

• How their neighborhood is part of a city, state, and country
• What governments do and what it would be like without one
• Symbols of their country and what they stand for

[edit] School aged children

Children will most likely be given beginning instruction in civics at school. Augment what they learn and show that the knowledge they have learned is useful in real life by letting them in on the process – talk about politics with them, let them hear your reasoning for voting for or not voting for a candidate, and so on – so they know that voting is more than picking a name or choosing a party. Let them know it is okay to have their own opinions about a subject, and show them how to research a topic so they can be fully informed.

Talking about the issues with your child is not only a way to encourage participation in the process when they are older, but it is a good way to pass on interest in subjects you think are important. When your kids watch you thoughtfully consider politics, it increases the chance that they will be voters in the future.