With all the stress and tension around this election it can be difficult to talk to our children about it. But, this is a teachable moment. This is an opportunity to encourage our children:
* The importance of voting
* How to make informed decisions
* Respecting other people’s opinions
* Using respectful language to talk about others
I have heard hateful words from young children’s mouths about the candidates in the election and frightening words about each candidate. The concerns that many people feel about the election should not be passed on to the children. It is our job to make them feel that this world is a mostly safe place and the only way to do that is to talk to them in an age-appropriate way about the state of the world. And, if you talk to them about the challenges and tragedies and injustices in the world you keep in mind their age, help them process their feelings and help them problem solve ways to be part of the solution.