…your voice matters.
(Artwork by BW, age 8)
Election Day is here! Regardless of who you’re voting for, I hope you get out and vote. It’s so important to vote and participate in democracy (because yes, America is still a democracy). And if you have kids, it’s important to teach them the value of voting, how to vote, and that their voice matters.
Growing up, I didn’t realize the importance of voting. When I was young, I didn’t understand the pain and struggle people who came before me – women who came before me – had gone through to receive the right to vote. And they didn’t want the right to vote just for themselves. They were thinking of all the generations of women and persons of color who would come after them- their children, their children’s children, their children’s children’s children, etc.
Teach your kids to vote.
So this year, I’ve been focused on teaching my three girls about voting. We’ve talked about what voting is, why it matters, and the history of voting in our country. Throughout the past several months, we’ve read books, watched tv shows, and found great videos made for kids about voting. And if we weren’t currently in a pandemic, I would have take my 8 year-old with me to vote. As my girls get older, they need to see voting in action.
If you need ideas on teaching your kids about voting, I have a few below. These have been some of my go-to resources the past few years, particularly the past 3 months.
Voting Videos for kids
Brainpop Jr. Videos about voting and elections
Voting Books for kids
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson
If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier
What is the Women’s Rights Movement? by Deborah Hopkinson
What are your go-to resources for teaching your kids about voting? Let me what I’ve missed and how you’re teaching your kids about voting in the comments below!
