Patriotism goes beyond flag-waving and national pride; it fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility. “We would not have all the wonderful benefits of being Americans today if we did not have the right to vote and my children need to learn that voting is not only a fundamental right, it can be fun,” notes Board Certified Family Law Specialist Adrian Davis of our Raleigh, North Carolina office. Voting is a fundamental democratic right and a powerful way for individuals to influence change. When children understand the importance of voting, they recognize their role in shaping the future of their community and country. Voting empowers them to voice their opinions, advocate for their beliefs, and hold leaders accountable.

A Fun and Beneficial Plan to Teach Voting

To instill the value of voting in children from a young age, parents can incorporate voting into everyday activities. This approach not only makes voting fun but also teaches children the importance of their choices and opinions. Wilmington based Family Law Attorney Allie Moore states “when my child votes on things in our home, and his vote matters, it teaches him that voting in our national and local elections will also matter.”

Family Voting Sessions: Create a family voting system for deciding on activities, meals, or chores. For example, let everyone vote on what to have for dinner or which movie to watch on family night. Ensure that everyone gets a chance to campaign for their choice and explain why they think it’s the best option.

Chore Elections: Turn some chores into a democratic process. List the chores that need to be done and let children vote on who does what. This can make the process more engaging and give them a sense of ownership over their responsibilities. Not everyone will “win” their favorite chore each time, and they will learn balance, negotiation, and equity concepts which run parallel to the ideas of fairness.

Weekly Polls: Conduct weekly polls on various topics, such as what game to play, which park to visit, or what dessert to make. Display the results on a family board to show the outcome of the votes and discuss the importance of majority rule and respecting different opinions. Raleigh Collaborative Attorney Adrian Davis let us know, “at our home, we sometimes let the winning child live in the limelight of their winning vote for a moment or two which can really emphasis the power of a vote, even on a smaller scale.”

Create a Voting Box: Make a voting box where family members can drop their votes on different decisions. This physical representation of voting can make the process more tangible and exciting for young children. Remember to decorate it as a fun activity too and make opening it and reading the votes a bit of a ritual to bring home the emphasis on the fun.

Reward Participation: Encourage participation by rewarding children for engaging in the voting process. Rewards can be simple, such as extra playtime, choosing the next family outing, or a special treat. This reinforces the idea that their opinions matter and have consequences. This practice teaches natural wins and losses that happen in the election and voting process and helps get your children ready for the real world.

By incorporating these practices, parents can foster a love for voting and an understanding of its importance from an early age. Children will learn that their voices count and that participating in the decision-making process is both a right and a responsibility. Happy July 4th and God Bless America!