Rock the Vote: Involving Kids in the Election Process

At first glance, talking to a 6-year-old about politics and government might seem like a real conversation stopper. But you may be surprised to learn that your child is more interested than you think. "Six- to 8-year-olds are very concerned with power, rules, and fairness," says Sally Sugarman, professor emerita of childhood studies at Bennington College, in Vermont, and author of If Kids Could Vote: Children, Democracy, and the Media. Since those concepts are at the core of the democratic process, it's the perfect opportunity to teach some basic lessons about our system of government. Just make sure you cast things in terms he can understand. For example, you might describe the U.S. Constitution as the rule book of our country and talk about how it gives all citizens age 18 and older the right to vote. Explain that it's our responsibility to choose a president who we believe will do the things that matter to us.