Great citizens are made, not born

Welcome to Elections Nova Scotia's website devoted to Growing Great Citizens. Here you will find what we hope will be some great, easy to understand information for you, your family and those who are important in your life. We hope you will have some fun with the ideas you find here.

It's a fact. Children who get involved in the community at a young age, come to understand the world around them and become connected. They grow into citizens who want to make positive changes in the world.

Citizen engagement - participation - builds great communities; and the reverse is also true.

Participation, engagement in the community, builds great citizens.

The research shows that you are your child's first and most influential teacher.

By doing what comes naturally, you have the power to teach, guide, and change the course of a life, a life you care about. It can be simple shared experiences, talking about things that are going on in the world and why; and encouraging questions.

At election time, take your child with you when you vote. Talk about why you vote. If your child is older, talk about the issues, what democracy is all about and why you participate.

Check out Talking To Kids to find ways you can help grow the young engaged citizen in your life.