The privilege to vote is the foundation of democracy. Before I knew my home address as a child, I could recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I knew that voting was special and a gift that not everyone in the world has. Americans have a privilege that comes with great responsibility. My parents worked to teach me manners for kids and made the extra effort to take me with them to the polls when they voted. While we were there, we got an “I Voted” sticker and my grandmother, Mary, greeted me with a hug and a smile…she worked the polls.
On Monday, my dear daughter-in-law (who persevered for years to become an American citizen) voted for the first time. As I look back on my childhood, I’m also excited to look forward and continue to instill the principles I learned from my parents in the next generation.
As parents, teachers, grandparents and educators, we must teach our children that voting is a privilege. Of course, voting with manners is a very important part of this. In this blog post, I’ll share some ways that you can teach your children about being responsible American citizens.
Teach Your Children the Importance of Voting
- Take your child to the polls with you while you vote. Greet everyone you see there with a smile. Tell your children about the stickers and make voting an exciting event. If you mail in your ballot, let your children know what you’re doing and why. Be a model voter. Allow children to see the local polls. Point out that everyone helping is volunteering their time and energy to further democracy and help their country become a better place.
- Discuss relevant political issues at an age-appropriate level. Teach your children to express their opinions with love. Explain to them why you are voting for a certain candidate. Teach your children that the people we elect make decisions about everything from improvements to roads, local parks and playgrounds to bigger issues like abortion or our environment. Choose a topic that is important to your family and discuss it with your child. Ask your children how they feel about the topic and talk with them about the stance of each candidate in the upcoming election related to this issue.
- Make a trip to the office of your local mayor, senator or representative. This is important! Ask your child often to name the state governor, mayor and U.S. President. This will help them to feel part of this great country!
- Ground your children in the importance of community involvement. My father was chairman of the school board, and my mom was a pillar in our community. I knew I was special to them and I was / am so proud to be an American!
- Read stories with your children about voting. I recommend “Everyone Gets a Say” by Jill Twiss and EG Keller. Another great book is “One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote” by Bonnie Worth. There are many other others as well.
- Teach your children the value of respect. No matter who wins the election, we should respect and honor our leaders. Train children to exhibit respect in the way they treat people.
- Allow your children to see you discuss controversial issues with grace. Model respect to them by treating people with respect, even those you disagree with.
- Honesty is the most important value we can teach to the next generation. Discuss honesty and integrity with your children. Tell them that honesty will lead to right convictions that will help them to do the right things throughout their lives. Today’s world often ignores these values and chooses to focus on “achievement at all costs.” Teach your children to see the bigger picture and that deceit and ungodly political issues will destroy our society.
- If possible, take your family to visit national treasures such as Mount Vernon, Monticello, James Madison’s home, the Capitol building in Washington D.C. or your state’s capitol building. Next summer, make it a point to visit Presidential libraries together. This will be something your children will always remember and it will help them to value being an American citizen.
- Sing patriotic songs with your child! Make sure that they know…
- America the Beautiful
- God Bless America
- The Star-Spangled Banner
Responsible Children Understand History
Teach your children that our President has a very important role, as this person oversees our government and military.
Tell children about the Vice President and the role that this person has.
Talk about the process of voting. Tell your children that, every four years, we elect a new President and that one person can serve only two terms. This will help them to understand that the people “run the country” by making their choice for President at the polls. Congress declared that Election Day would be an early voting day and it would be the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This day was chosen because it came at the end of the harvesting season.
Discuss the different parties and explain the difference between Democrats and Republicans. Allow your children to listen to the Presidential Debates and do not shield them from the issues. Help them to understand and value their opinion and what it means to live in a democracy.
Discuss that George Washington won the vote for President during a cold winter snowstorm. Tell your children about George Washington’s life. After all, he was our nation’s first President! Visit Mount Vernon and allow your child to learn about all of the sacrifices that were made to secure a democracy. George Washington lived his live to serve and to see that America would remain a democracy. Mount Vernon is a great place to begin teaching your children, but if you can’t travel there, visit your state capitol instead. Make sure your child knows about his or her state and knows the name of the governor.
Election Day also offers the perfect opportunity to discuss local elections, as you can explain the importance of choosing a sheriff and mayor. The following are some important election related terms to discuss with children:
- Absentee Ballots
- Ballots
- Citizen
- Congress
- Debates
- Democracy
- Election Day
- Republican Party
- Democratic Party
- Libertarian Party
- Senator
- Congressman
- Sheriff
- Vice President
- Voting
- Polls
- Political Parties
Why Teach Voting Etiquette to Children?
The beginning of true voting etiquette is a conviction to do the right thing…to vote. Explain that you have no right to an opinion if you do not vote. Etiquette in an election is so important! Make your visit to the polls a time of celebration by saying “hello” to everyone in your community and by meeting and greeting your neighbors. Work to get to know new friends and neighbors at the polls and allow your child to see your civic joy and pride.
I am a Christian and, in my faith, we are meant to be engaged citizens. The first step in this is to exercise our right to vote. I firmly believe that no political party is “God’s party” as we are all wonderfully created by our Heavenly Father. Voting should not be a human dignity issue.
I cannot write this blog post without citing the power of prayer. Prayer binds us to God and to each other. It empowers us to support those in authority with a spirit of joy, truth and love. Pray with your child and daily ask God to bless America and grant our leaders the integrity and wisdom they need to secure our democracy. Truly, we live in a great land…called America!
Need Help with Manners for Kids During Voting Season?
Looking for some guidance with manners for kids? Dallas, Texas etiquette expert, Lisa Burdette, offers private and group etiquette lessons to help teens and children learn the value of civic responsibility and to improve their social skills at home, in school interactions and throughout life.
Ready to book? Reach out via our Contact page to request your manners for kids session with Lisa today! The Dallas School of Etiquette also offers classes for interview skills and social graces, business etiquette and fine dining sessions for teens and adults.