I have a 6yr old and I want to teach her about the upcoming election and the historical significance. How?

Question

How do I explain politics to a child and tell her of the historical social significance of this election? How do you even begin to describe a democracy and the office of president?

Answer 1

Honestly, a 6yo won't understand the significance of this; at 6, she's still very much in the "here and now".  You can, however, describe voting, a republic (we're not a democracy, we're a republic), and the office of President.

(In a democracy, while the people elect the leaders, the leaders have the power to give or take away rights as they see fit, without the people's consent - even the ones that the Constitution describes as "inalienable".  In a republic, the leaders cannot change these rights without the express permission of the people they represent.  There are other differences too, but this is the main one.)

To describe voting, you'll either need a lot of her friends or she'll have to "vote" on behalf of her stuffed animals or dolls.  Voting is simply choosing what you think is best.  For a child of that age, food is a safe choice - do they want hot dogs or macaroni and cheese for the election lunch?  Be sure to explain that the largest vote wins, and just because they vote, doesn't mean they'll get what they want.  However, each vote does count toward the final decision, so they all need to choose, or vote.

To describe a republic, have a family meeting.  Sit down with her and all other members of your family to set down a list of family rules, or "laws" and "rights".  As parents, you and your husband are the elected leaders of the government.  You have the power to change "laws" - like allowance requirements and video game time - but not "rights", like the ability to sleep indoors at night or access to food at meal time.  If a family "right" is to be changed, everyone gets to vote.  Then, show her how our country works like that - we elect leaders whose job is to make our laws.  They can change "laws" without our consent, but not "rights".  (You may not want to do this long-term, but it will serve as an illustration to help her understand that concept of a republic.)

To illustrate the office of President, read some books from the library about becoming President and past Presidents.  There are some really great ones that are appropriate for a 6yo, your children's librarian should be able to help.  Then, let her be President for the day!  She not only gets the benefits of being President - she eats first at meals, you all rise when she walks in the room, she has a SS agent "protecting" her at all times (either a sibling or a stuffed animal she carries around with her all day) - but she also has the responsibilities.  (I would choose a day when nothing major needs to get done!)  She needs to make sure that the government is working properly - i.e., are all jobs getting done.  She needs to control foreign policy - i.e., making sure all errands get done (according to a schedule you make up beforehand).  She needs to make sure that national laws are enforced - are family rules being obeyed?  Etc., etc.  This will show her that the President isn't just some guy that gets to live in a pretty house and make everyone do what he wants...he has some pretty steep responsibilities as well, and when something goes wrong, it's on him to handle it.

At 6, kids really don't have abstract thought processes for the most part, so historical and social significance isn't going to be understood or retained.  However, when she's older, she'll have her hands-on lessons as a foundation to go back and study what's happening now, which will help her understand everything a lot easier and more deeply.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

6 is too young for this. buy her a colourful story book instead. she will grow at her own pace and understand all this stuff when she needs too. right now, creative toys are what she needs.  

Answer 3

She should first see you following the election closely, which you probably are.  That does not guarantee she will ask you a question on her own.  You might ask her some very basic questions at first, such as who is the president now and who will be the president when she is 8?  The significance of the election is an abstract concept which she may or may not get--certainly not entirely, because she's so young.  But, she would understand that people are, for example, very unhappy with the current president.  She may want to know why.  I don't remember the elections very much at that time of my life.  I remember a few things from 68: Hubert Humphrey, maybe Nixon being on Laugh-In, and of course the moon landing.  Man am I old.  But my parents did become more vocal leading up to the '72 election, and that stuck with me.  In that sense, you probably are teaching her already, because it's the parent's level of expressed interest which leaves the most lasting impression.

Answer 4

You can show the picture of democracy, then explain to him she is the president of the Phil.Tell him you can change the President by electing them. You can tell him democracy is the freedom of ones right.  Children are very smart now a days.

Answer 5

start small...you may not be able to get everything across to her that you'd like, but you can start instilling in her what it means to vote, and how it is a duty she should fulfill at every opportunity.  take her with you every time you vote.  let her come into the booth with you and see what's hapening. i know the polling places around me during the day (when it's slower) will let kids kind of tour the place and see what it's all about.  they'll give the kids fake ballots so they can"vote", and then they get a sticker that says "i voted!"  i teach elementary school and take my kids through each election, primary, local race, etc.  they love it!