Kids look forward to certain ages as milestones in their lives:
- 5 to start Kindergarten
- 10 to have TWO digits in their age
- 13 to become a teenager and see a PG-13 movie
- 16 to drive a car
- 18 to be a legal adult and buy a lottery ticket, join the military, sign a legal contract, get a tattoo or piercing, or be charged as an adult if you commit a crime (OK, maybe they don't look forward to that last one)
- 21 to legally have a drink
Following are some resources that will help you talk to your kids about the election process and voting in an age-appropriate way.
Books for ages 4-8:
- The Ballot Box Battle by Emily Arnold McCully is about Cordelia, a young girl whose relationship with her neighbor, suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, inspires her to a remarkable act of courage.
- Election Day (Robin Hill School Ready-to-Read Level 1) by Margaret McNamera is about an election for a new class president. All of the candidates make big promises but new student Becky simply promises that she will do her best.
- My Teacher for President by Kay Winters tells the story of Oliver, who writes a letter to his local newspaper explaining why all the traits his teacher has would also make her a good president too.
- Duck for President by Doreen Cronin is the award-winning follow-up to Click, Clack, Moo and introduces elections in a very basic and fun way.
- See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman explains political parties, campaigning, the electoral college, and other topics in an accessible, informative way.
- Presidential Elections: And Other Cool Facts by Syl Sobel is filled with fascinating facts and trivia.
- The Election Book: The People Pick a President by Carolyn Jackson discusses what goes on in an election year and how the people pick a president.
- Vote (DK Eyewitness Books) gives comprehensive information about how the voting process has changed through history (from Roman times) and how it differs in republics around the world.
- Watch Iron Jawed Angels, about Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), two suffragist activists who fought, suffered, and sacrificed for the passage of the 19th Amendment. It is a powerful movie; borrow it from the Jefferson County Libraries, Arapahoe County Libraries, or the Bemis Library
- Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State by Andrew Gelman debunks popular political myths using colorful easy-to-read graphics.
- This May Help You Understand the World by Lawrence Potter introduces a variety of topics on world affairs, national politics, and the environment.
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids has different pages for early elementary, late elementary, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and even parents and teachers. These pages explain the election process, our nation, our government, and even have games and activities.
