Whether you're bridging the home-to-school connection, supplementing, or homeschooling your kids, you can customize their education to your child's interests or needs. This includes teaching kids about voting and the importance of civic participation. Read on to learn more about voting for kids, the benefits of exploring this topic, and how it can encourage lifelong learning and community engagement.
Teaching Kids About Voting and Civic Engagement
Have you ever wondered how you can help kids understand how they can make a difference and use their voice? Well, learning more about voting is a great place to start!
According to Education Week, "Teaching civics at a young age can help instill confidence and self-efficacy." Introducing civics and voting in a way that is manageable and relatable to the real world can help kids better understand the world around them and how they can play a part in this story.
Let's dive into the basics and the ways kids can get involved.
What is Civics?
Civics is the study of citizenship and government. It encompasses citizens' rights and responsibilities, the structure and function of government, and the political process. As a member of society (no matter what age), it's essential to understand how governments run and operate, which in turn helps support communities and their citizens.
The Importance of Voting
Voting is not just a process. It can be a tool that allows people to express their views, choose their representatives, and make their voices heard on important issues. Teaching kids about voting is essential for preparing them to be informed and engaged citizens, but it can feel overwhelming for both adults and children.
Why Teach Kids About Voting?
There are many reasons why it is important to teach kids about voting. Here are a few:
It helps kids understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and what it means to be an active member of their community.
It encourages critical thinking skills to approach civic learning with curiosity and confidence.
Teaching kids about voting doesn't just prepare them for the future. It also instills a sense of honor and understanding the history of voting and what it means to be a part of it.
What's interesting about including topics like voting in your homeschool curriculum is that you can incorporate civics into everyday scenarios and activities. For instance, you can discuss the concept of voting when making family decisions, or when attending community functions, you can talk about how these events contribute to the community and the importance of participation.
Everyday learning activities to encourage civic engagement
Consider the following:
Partake in family decisions
Not sure what to have for dinner? Take a vote, tally the votes, and let the person with the most votes decide what you'll have for your family meal.
Get involved in your community
Attend community functions, gatherings, and local businesses to learn more about what drives your community and how you can help your neighbors.
Start a conversation
Part of civic engagement is not just about voting, but also about listening to different thoughts, feelings, and opinions on matters. Starting a conversation about voting can open up new perspectives and ideas and lead the way for collaboration and empathy.
Encourage curiosity and empathy
Remember when your own family couldn’t agree on something? That’s because every person is entitled to their own opinion on any given matter or subject. Consider family activities like your favorite board games, TV shows, or vacation spots. Have each family write a position on what they like about it and why others should try it or invest in it. You can even pitch your ideas further and start an informal debate to determine your next family activity or outing. Take it to a vote and discover a new opportunity for your kids to learn and engage on a new level.
There are additional ways to teach your kids about voting at home. Here are a few homeschool civics activities that you can incorporate into your curricula:
Discuss the history of voting in the United States.
Head to the local library and read civics books and articles about voting
Watch videos about voting
Ask questions about your local government and encourage research to understand your community better.
Have your kids participate in a mock election.
Break down the Branches of government and create a game around how each branch works and operates.
Take a family outing to the voting polls to experience this in real-life and chat about your observations afterwards.
Create civic and government lesson plans to understand the topics further.
Have your kids create a campaign on something they're passionate about, including ballots, buttons, and materials to promote their cause. Have other family members take part, engage, and vote on the process.
Want a jumpstart on a homeschool voting activity? We’ve got you. Download your own customizable voting ballots here.
Boost your kid's homeschool learning with civic engagement and voting activities
By teaching your kids about voting, you're supporting their development as active community members and showing them that their voice matters. You are also preparing them to make thoughtful decisions on important issues and participate in their community's political process.
For more on learning at home, check out BrainPOP Homeschool.
Kelli Rascoe is a Senior Content Strategy Manager at BrainPOP. She has nine years of experience in writing, content marketing, and strategy for tech and Fortune 500 brands. She is also a homeschool momma to a princess scientist and a pack of rescue pups.
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