Children are curious about the world, and no matter how much information you give them, they are always seeking more. Political views are typically something children first pick up from their parents. Regardless of a parent’s political affiliation or viewpoint, it is only fair to teach children about the bigger picture so they can grow up informed and capable of making their own decisions. Teaching children about politics can either be a path you choose for them or a doorway to their own political beliefs.
Encouraging Political Curiosity in Children
This is a noble thought, but how do you go about giving them the bigger picture? Many children find politics boring. A great way to spark their interest is by showing how political decisions impact them and their family. This approach not only grabs their attention but also helps them understand the importance of these decisions.
Of course, this is different for every family. Some children have personal connections to political issues, such as family members or friends overseas fighting in a war—one of the nation’s hottest topics right now. Knowing someone involved in a war completely personalizes politics for a child. However, it doesn’t have to be all grim and depressing. In fact, children tend to respond better to factual information. Giving them the facts and then allowing them to ask questions can help foster a more critical political mind.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the motivation to be an active part of life. Teaching them the responsibility, joy, and empowerment of voting will carry through into their adulthood. Explaining the power of their own voice can go a long way in not only piquing their interest in politics but also helping them realize their role in influencing political decisions. Most kids are intuitive enough to understand that having the power to vote also means they have a responsibility to understand why they want to vote for someone.
Asking their opinion as political races, debates, and controversial issues arise allows them to learn how to express themselves, listen to opposing views, and research politicians’ positions on these issues. Children learn about politics through conversation. While they may be willing to watch the news or read news magazines, these programs are typically aimed at adults. Conversing with children gives them the chance to ask questions, challenge the situation, and form their own viewpoint.
We teach children to “agree” with their parents when they are young by teaching them to obey. However, this is one area where they should be encouraged to think freely and to feel comfortable disagreeing with their parents, even on strong political topics. It’s important for parents to verbally acknowledge that it’s okay for children to hold different viewpoints.
As adults, we often associate Democrats with liberalism, charity, societal programs, and outreach, while we associate Republicans with conservative business practices, the American Dream, and the belief that hard work leads to high achievement. Many experts believe it is better to allow children to develop their own political viewpoints without assigning them to a political party. Assigning a political party to children makes them associate their beliefs with the party rather than their own thoughts, as though they are “supposed to think” in a predetermined fashion because of their party affiliation.
Many adults don’t thoroughly understand the entire political structure of their country. While the United States has the House of Representatives, Congress, and the White House, other nations have similarly complex governmental systems. It can be very difficult to teach your children about something if you don’t fully understand it yourself. In a recent poll, 98% of Americans knew that the President of the United States had the power to veto a bill, but 69% of adults didn’t know where the bill the President was vetoing came from. It may be necessary for you to brush up on political education as you teach your child, if not beforehand. Sometimes it’s not as important to know the answer to a question as it is to know how to find the answer when needed. Sitting down and doing quick research with your child not only increases political knowledge but also encourages independent research skills. This can make them more likely to become informed voters when they grow up. Teaching children about politics empowers them to be the leaders of tomorrow.
