3 Things You Should Totally Say to Young Kids About the Election—and One It’s Best to Avoid

It’s election season…again, and while you might think young kids are blissfully unaware of all the buzz, they’re more perceptive than we often realize (or would like to admit). Talking about the election with your children can feel scary—how can I explain the electoral college when I hardly understand it myself? There are also so many big things at stake, like reproductive rights. But without getting into the nitty gritty that’s above their pay grade, young kids can open their minds to ideas of civic duty, democracy and even empathy. We spoke to Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer at Bright Horizons, about the best ways to introduce little sprouts to big ideas during election season, including the one conversation to steer clear of.

Children might not fully understand political systems (I mean, I barely understand our political system), but they get the idea of “leader.” (i.e. “Mama, I’ll be the line leader! You get behind me.) So, you can explain that the president’s job is to help lead and make important choices for the country. Robertson suggests framing it as a shared decision: “We vote for leaders who we think will do the best job.”

Try This: Robertson says to create simple “elections” at home, voting on family decisions, like which restaurant to visit or what game to play. It’s a fun way to introduce the idea of choice—and show kids that everyone’s voice matters. “Don’t forget to model empathy by asking your child to tell you why they voted for a particular restaurant or game,” shares Robertson.

Elections can stir up strong emotions, and kids may pick up on the tension around them. Robertson encourages parents to check in with their kids, listening openly to any concerns. “The most important thing we can do is to be there, listen, and respond to their emotional and educational needs,” she says. Remind them that they’re safe and encourage them to talk or play through their feelings to process them.

Demonstrating how to handle disagreements is one of the best lessons for kids around election time. “Staying calm, actively listening and showing empathy toward different viewpoints is important,” says Robertson. Show them what respectful disagreement looks like, using age-appropriate language and focusing on kindness even when people see things differently. It’s a skill that will serve them well beyond the election season.

Try This: Play a game of favorites, i.e. What’s your favorite food, book, color, etc. Show them that even if you like different things, you can still be kind.

It's important to discuss elections, but how you do so very much depends on your children's ages. For example, for ages 6 and under, it’s best to avoid showing them round-the-clock, intense news coverage or heated discussions that might be confusing or frightening. Instead, limit their exposure to political media, and if they do overhear something concerning, talk about it in a calm, reassuring way.

For curious, older kids who are hearing debates in school or in the culture, you might come to the conclusion that you can't keep them in a bubble. Remember that your child, no matter what age, looks to you for security. So a calm, empathetic approach to their questions and feelings will go a long way in helping them feel safe and informed.