As a society, how can we expect kids to go from just being kids to voting as soon as they’re legally able?
Giving children the opportunities to learn what policies mean, how government works and what impact local elected officials have on communities is part of raising active, informed civic participants.
The Opportunities
One way is to get involved in local government firsthand. Kids and parents alike can participate in meetings held by their local city or county representatives or their school board to have their voice heard on issues they care about.
Public comment allows people of all ages to share their perspective, and writing a letter to a representative is another good way to become involved.
That was the case for one Maryland family, who attended school board meetings together to help save a program lost to budget cuts. Rania Dima and both her daughters, Claire (12) and Chani (17), spoke at the meetings, and her eldest wrote to her local Board of Education.
“I hadn’t really done a lot with advocacy work along the lines of writing letters, however this whole experience has definitely inspired me to want to get more involved with advocacy and the local government,” Chani says.
Cautions and Tips
Children may have a hard time sitting through government meetings, so the first time you attend one, it might be wise to take a seat near the back in case you and your child need to duck out gracefully.
Parents should also note that not all meeting topics will be child-friendly, and some discussions can get heated, even between adults. Parents can avoid topics their children aren’t ready for by viewing public meeting agendas online ahead of time. Alternatively, if there is a local issue you want your child to learn about, check to see if there’s a virtual attendance option so you can tune in—and out—when you’re ready.
How to Get Started
Now that you know about some of the benefits and possible pitfalls of involvement, here’s how you can start teaching your child about government.
One way to learn about government in an age-appropriate way is through books.
“A Vote is a Powerful Thing” by Catherine Stier is a 32-page illustrated book about the difference a vote can make. This book also tells kids a bit about the election process and the history of voting rights through history.
Another book, “Lillian’s Right to Vote” by Jonah Winter, walks kids ages 5 to 9 through the history of voting from the perspective of Lillian, a 100-year-old African American woman. This illustrated book is 40 pages long.
For kids who are a little older and able to sit for longer periods, parents can start by attending school board and city council meetings with them. These open, local meetings are a great way to introduce kids to government because the decisions being made are directly connected to what they do in school or what happens to the park down the road.
Chani says she wants kids to know that even if they’re young, their voice still matters and they can make a difference. “Even if you’re still a child, you need to be able to share your voice and be heard by the adults around you,” she says.
“The first time, I was, like, shaking a lot and I was really nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” Claire recalls of speaking before her school board, but she grew more confident each time.
A third way to get kids to think about government is to sit down with them this election season and go over the pamphlets or websites of local candidates. Take the time to read over campaign promises and ask your child what they think that these words mean. If your child has a question you don’t know the answer to, lead by example and teach them how to find that answer.
If your child finds a topic they feel passionate about or want to contribute to the discussion on, help them write a letter to am official or representative. Parents will be surprised how often kids receive a response!
Maryland’s Senate Candidates Weigh In
Despite their many differences, both Angela Alsobrooks and Larry Hogan, candidates racing against one another for U.S. Senate, agree that involving kids in government and teaching them about its importance is beneficial.
Alsobrooks, the Democratic Senate candidate, speaks from experience as the mother of a 19-year-old daughter.
“I think it’s incredibly important for our kids to get a well-rounded education in civics and to gain a sense of genuine curiosity of public service and the incredible impacts good government can have on families’ lives,” Alsobrooks says. “I think it’s wonderful when children participate in the civic process.”
Alsobrooks goes on to call it an “incredible learning opportunity” when children are able to participate in and attend local public government meetings.
Hogan, the Republican Senate candidate and former Governor of Maryland, speaks from experience as a father and grandfather. He says that kids learning how their government works firsthand it vital.
“It’s so important for children to learn, from a young age, we live on a shining city on a hill—the greatest nation in the world, where one person truly can make a difference,” Hogan says.
Hogan goes on to quote former President Ronald Reagan, saying that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction and that it isn’t passed down to children by blood but rather fought for, protected and handed to them to do the same.
“To protect the blessings of liberty for future generations of Americans, we have to show them why it’s so important. Introducing them to government is a great way to do that,” Hogan says.
