As your child gets older they have the need to make more decisions for themselves, at times insisting on their choices by throwing a tantrum. Even teenagers do this in the form of a door that is being banged or when they withdraw from a family activity.
Living in a society with a lot of individuals with their own needs, ideas and passions make it necessary to do a group vote about who and how the country will be run. In other words, we have elections where we vote.
This is an important concept for kids to learn and understand and can help them fit in socially. Kids can practice this concept when they decide what game to play with their friends, which movie to watch with their siblings, and where to go on your family outing.
What teaching your kids about elections and voting will actually teach them:
- People are different and like different things.
- Everyone’s vote is important and counts, yours too.
- Some people will have to sacrifice some of the things they want to support the group’s decision.
- You can still enjoy the activity/movie/food/game even if it wasn’t you first choice.
- Respect for other people’s needs and feelings.
- Negotiation skills. Kids can try to persuade their friends/siblings to choose the same thing they want.
- How to handle peer pressure: your child can be the one being persuaded.
- There is an orderly and respectful way to deal with differences/conflicts.
How to teach them this:
- Explain the concept when you go to vote in the Municipal or National elections. Tell them why you vote and how it works.
- Suggest a vote when you spot an opportunity.
- Facilitate the process the first time to teach your kids how to do it.
- Give them the opportunity to try it themselves the next time and only help when you see them get stuck.
- Give them feedback on the process, telling them for example how well they worked together to resolve a conflict.
You might want to read more about how to help your kids with their homework.