As Election Day comes closer, it’s not unusual for children to come to parents with questions. In addition to asking about terms such as presidency and candidate, they might also want to understand the voting process—why it is important and what difference a well-thought-out vote can make.
To help offer some clarity on how to talk to your kids about elections, we spoke with Syl Sobel—an author, attorney, former newspaper reporter and a retired director of publications for a federal government agency. Here is how he recommends talking to kids about this topic:
At what age is it appropriate to talk to kids about elections?
I don’t think there is a specific age. In fact, the earlier the better! It all depends on when you feel that your kid is old enough to understand.
What motivated you to write [“Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts : Understanding How Our Country Picks Its President”]?
I am a father to two daughters who are now in their early thirties (chuckles)…. and I often noticed how they would show curiosity whenever Election Day would come close. In our family, going to the polling booth was a big day—and we would make sure to take our girls along. One day, my daughter came to me and suggested that I write a book on how the government works, and I took it from there!
How can you get your child excited about voting? At what age can kids begin to get more involved?
I think kids learn—and get excited—when they hear their parents talk about things. The same applies to voting! Talk to your kids about voting, talk about voting around them and, most importantly, keep them involved in the process. The excitement follows naturally!
How does your book contribute towards greater election awareness for children?
In addition to using very simple language, my book has a lot of cool illustrations. The text and pictures work together to break down complex concepts. Most importantly, children love pictures, and visual representation helps them understand things easily.
What practical situations in your child’s life can you use to demonstrate how the election works?
I think the best way to do this is to connect complex concepts to everyday events or locations in your child’s life. For example, a good way to explain a district would be to compare it to a classroom or a school—a location that your child explains and relates to easily.
Some responses have been edited or paraphrased for length and clarity.
