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The Race Is On!

A Parent's Guide to Talking About the Presidential Election

No matter what your political beliefs, there's one thing parents can agree on: We'll be inundated with election coverage over the next few weeks. Chances are that your child has begun to notice campaign signs, television commercials, news coverage, T-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and conversations about the election.

The presidential election brings a real-life civics lesson to children across the country. With Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee and Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee, the 2008 election offers an opportunity for you to show your child that any citizen born in the US can grow up to be president, regardless of class, gender or ethnic origin.

Increased campaign coverage may also bring interesting questions from your child. While even young children can get caught up in the excitement of a campaign, they may be confused about how it works. Here are some questions your kids may ask, along with ideas on how to phrase your response:

• What is voting?
• Who can vote?
• Why can't kids vote?
• Why should people vote?
• Can I come to the party?
• Can I become president?
• What does the President do?
• What do donkeys and elephants have to do with being president?
• How can kids get involved in the election?

What is voting?

You can explain to preschoolers that voting is a way for a group to make a decision. Family members can cast votes for a favorite meal, favorite book or favorite weekend activity.

Who can vote?

School-age children are ready to learn that when this country began, the Founding Fathers wrote a constitution describing how we would govern ourselves. It said people should vote but didn't say who could vote. That was left to each state to decide, which created problems. In the past, people were denied the right to vote because of social class, gender or ethnic origin. Now after centuries of protest, four amendments to the Constitution and several new laws, all U.S. citizens, 18 years or older, are allowed to vote.

Why can't kids vote?

Kids who get caught up in election excitement may be disappointed to learn that they don't get a vote. Explain to them that in order to vote in this country, you have to meet citizenship, residency and age requirements, meaning you have to be at least 18. But remind kids that even if they can't vote in the presidential election, they can still vote in class, with their family or with a group of friends.

Why should people vote?

Raise a future voter by teaching children about the importance of making their voices heard. Tell them that despite the struggle to extend the vote to all American citizens over 18, only 64 percent of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2004 presidential election. Explain that because a surprising number of elections are determined by small margins, it's important for all eligible voters to participate at the local and national level.

Can I come to the party?

You may need to teach young children that that a political party isn't the same as a birthday party -- even though they'll see lots of balloons, confetti and dancing if they watch a convention on TV. Show kids that political parties are groups of people with similar interests who join together to support candidates. School-age children have probably heard of the Democrats and Republicans. Introduce them to other parties, too, like the Green Party, the Libertarians and the Progressives. Remind them that voters can just be independents and not join a party at all.

Can I become president?

Tell your aspiring world leader that, according to the Constitution, a person must meet three conditions to be eligible to become president. An individual must:

1. be a citizen who was born in the United States
2. have lived in the United States for fourteen years
3. be at least 35 years old

What does the President do?

Children may understand that the President leads the nation, but you can explain that he also serves as the head of the military, makes agreements with other nations and chooses people to hold important government jobs. He doesn't do it on his own, however. Introduce kids to the three branches of government: the Legislative, which includes Congress; the Judicial, which includes the Supreme Court; and the Executive, which includes the President, Vice President and Cabinet. Each branch can limit the powers of the other so none becomes too powerful.

What do donkeys and elephants have to do with being president?

Political symbols can be a fun topic to explore with children, since they have roots in something kids love: cartoons. Tell children that before TV, radio and the Internet, political parties used printed materials to attract and educate voters. Political cartoonist Thomas Nast (the same man who created our modern image of Santa Claus) drew a cartoon of a Democratic donkey and a Republican elephant in the late 1870s. These symbols have since become official mascots of their parties.

Invite young children to draw their own cartoon symbols for causes they believe in, whether they're helping animals, saving the earth or raising money for a children's charity.

How can kids get involved in the election?

Let kids know that even though they can't vote, they can encourage the adults in their life to register to vote and to campaign for their favorite causes and candidates. Future voters can also pass out fliers, help at polling places (in some states), listen to debates and wear buttons or T-shirts for their favorite nominee.