Talking To Kids

Creating engaged citizens can be a family affair. Today, raising a citizen of the world may be as important as reading and math are, in terms of helping your child find his or her place in the world. And it can be fun. It's about shared experiences. It's about encouraging opinions and talking about things that matter to you.

There are lots of fun ways for parents and caregivers to get kids interested in the world and in the democratic process.

The suggestions listed here, according to research, promote positive civic attitudes and qualities.

Family activities:

• If you are volunteering in a community process, in a fund raiser or in an election campaign give your kids a first hand look at how it works by encouraging them to get involved too, and bringing them along.
• Dinner table discussion can bring the family together around important community, global or election issues.
• Go to hear influential speakers together - it could be a business leader, a community leader, a political debate, or a youth who has come back from a trip abroad.
• Watch election debates and talk about candidate performance; or talk to children about their reactions to campaign ads. Children today know their stuff when it comes to assessing someone's TV or in-person performance, or the effectiveness of ads.
• Model citizenship: voting, jury duty, working on a campaign, at a fund raiser or other activity shows your child your commitment.
• Model community problem-solving, volunteering, working with others to address neighbourhood or community needs.
• Encourage your kids to be involved with extra-curricular activities and organized youth clubs or groups.
• At a family dinner ask older family members who they first voted for and why. Kids love to hear relatives and older friends reminisce about things gone by. It is a way to teach children about the history of our country and their family.
• Take your children along when you vote and talk about the process and what it means. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to show you care about the community and democracy.