Do your children know what freedoms they have as Americans? Do they know who makes the laws? How about this: Do they know why it is important to vote? They could, if we make time this month to find out what our kids understand about elections and get them involved. Election season offers the perfect “teachable [...]

Do your children know what freedoms they have as Americans? Do they know who makes the laws? How about this: Do they know why it is important to vote?

They could, if we make time this month to find out what our kids understand about elections and get them involved. Election season offers the perfect “teachable moment” to help children understand the rights and responsibilities that come with democratic citizenship.

Citizenship—Use it or lose it?
Surveys of civic knowledge, attitudes, and actions reveal serious gaps in the citizenship education of young Americans. Reports on civic learning by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate that the majority of 12th-graders have only a basic knowledge of government and citizenship in the United States. Too few can show they have learned enough to participate responsibly in the political system.

Why should we care? If we want to maintain our democratic society, we must teach our children to be good citizens— which goes beyond teaching them to obey the laws of the land. We should also teach them about how their freedoms began and how they’re maintained. Young people need to understand that they can make a difference and that if they don’t become involved democratic citizens, they risk losing their free way of life.

The family that votes together…
Schools play a role, of course; good schools infuse the principals and lessons of democracy into every subject. Families, however, are crucial in teaching civic values and attitudes, and home is the perfect setting to model the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

One of those responsibilities is the obligation to become informed about public policies and vote in public elections. Most older students acknowledge the importance of voting and campaigning in public elections, but they also tend to express low levels of political interest and fail to see that their political actions make a difference. The percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds voting in public elections lags far behind the rate for those over age 25.

Want to get started?
Clearly, we need to do more to help young people believe that their input can make a difference. Here are a few ideas for showing your children what democracy looks like in action:

• Participate in the political system and volunteer for community service projects. Invite your child to join you.
• Require children to “contribute to the common good” of the family by assigning regular chores.
• Behave democratically with your children. At least some of the time, allow children to decide what they learn and do, so they can learn how to share power and control.
• Practice respect. Without respect, democracy cannot exist.
• Promote your power to make a difference. No single person can change the world, but you can do what’s possible within your circle of influence.
• Monitor and reinforce at home the lessons learned in school about the responsibilities of citizenship.

October Activities to Build Democratic Citizenship

• Show an interest in citizenship and public affairs. Discuss newspaper articles and current events, especially those that affect children.
• Talk about campaign ads and ballot issues. Annoying as they can be, campaign ads make great teaching tools. Invite your kids to ask questions and dig deeper into what candidates say.
• Take your children with you when you vote. Talk about why you voted the way you did.
• Go to a school board meeting together.
• Read biographies of people who are good examples of democratic citizens.

Our nation’s future depends on citizens who exercise their rights and responsibilities. But our kids won’t use what they don’t understand. November 7 will be here before you know it. What are you waiting for?

*‘C’ is for Citizenship*
Americans’ guaranteed right to participate in politics and democracy means little when most citizens fail to exercise it. Election season offers adults a “teachable moment” to help children learn rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Here are some resources that can help.

KidsVotingUSA Family Guide
Available in English and Spanish, the guide offers activities the entire family can do together to learn about democracy and the value of being an involved citizen.

MI Kids!
Offers all kinds of interesting facts and fun activities for kids, including sections on how a bill becomes a law and how voting works.

Rock the Vote
A teen-friendly site by a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and to helping young people use their power to affect change in their communities.

Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government
Learn about government branches, citizenship and how laws are made with Ben Franklin as your host. Interactive games and articles provide information in a fun way.

Project Vote Smart
Contains a comprehensive database of political candidates and elected officials. Also includes links to other Web sites with information on government and politics.