Democracy refers to a form of government in which the people either have the authority to choose their governing legislators, or the authority to decide on legislation. Today we discuss the 5 ways to teach kids about democracy. Use these tips to teach kids what it means to be part of a democracy, in the broadest sense.
Discuss with your child about election and vote
Is there a local or national election coming up? Then it’s a great opportunity to talk to your child about how ordinary people get to choose the leaders of our democracy.
Most election years, I recommend taking your child with you to the polls. Young kids can be prone to simply thinking about losers and winners in a contest but think deeper. As of now it’s a pandemic situation so talk about what the two candidates’ positions are on issues like COVID – 19, the economy, immigration, and racial justice. If you feel safe doing so, taking your child to the voting booth is a great way for them to see what the process of voting is like.
Talk about how protest is patriotic
When there are news stories about protests, do you talk to your children about them? Whether it’s US athletes taking a knee during the national anthem or the 2020 uprising against police brutality, there’s an opportunity for learning. Loving one’s country means speaking up when we disagree with its actions.
Encourage children to ask questions and to speak up
As parents and teachers, one of the best ways to model democratic dialogue is to encourage children to respectfully question adults including us! Perhaps your child will tell you about a time when she didn’t like what someone else was saying. Try roleplaying with her how she could express disagreement the next time. When a child questions your views or a decision you’ve made, encourage them to talk it through with you instead of shushing them.
Talk about voter suppression
We often tell children that one person equals one vote. But the reality of voter suppression (and how the electoral college works in presidential elections) means that isn’t really true. Teaching Tolerance has a number of resources for the classroom about voter suppression, the history of voting rights, and more.
Middle school and high school age students can watch the full-length film Suppressed: The Fight to Vote right now on YouTube. The documentary focuses on voter suppression in Georgia during the 2018 election.
Read and discuss books about democracy
Suggests and buy books about democracy for kids. Discuss with them these topics. For example, a book about women winning the right to vote in the United States may not mention that most Black women and women of color weren’t able to exercise that right until decades after the 19th amendment passed. When reading books about people facing injustice, point out the ways that oppressed people in the story are fighting back for their rights.
