How to talk to kids about politics in an election year

Children have a knack for asking the hard questions—and not just about the birds and the bees. So far, in this election year, we’ve seen headlines about our country’s leaders that are hard for adults to wrap our minds around. How do we explain them to our children?

As the political season heats up, kids may be exposed to confusing messages. News stories about candidates’ ages, families and decisions are everywhere. If it feels hard to avoid the subject, don’t worry—and don’t avoid it. Talking to kids about politics, in an age-appropriate way, can strengthen their understanding and your relationship. Here are some tips for how to talk to kids about politics in an election year when politicians are making headlines. 

6 tips for talking to kids about politics 

1. Answer what they ask 

Children tend to ask questions they’re ready to hear answers to. This advice works well for politics and news in general. 

When answering their questions:

• Answer specific questions. 
• Keep the answers short, age-appropriate and honest. 
• Let your child guide the depth of the conversation—they will ask more questions if they want to know more. If they don’t ask for more details, your child may not be ready for them.

2. Get familiar with “age-appropriate” 

Here is a quick back-pocket guide to talking to children according to their developmental stage: 

Preschool-5: A short, direct sentence. Think “Who, What, Why and Why is it important.” 

Elementary years (5-10): Keep it short and sweet. A few sentences of a direct answer with validation that their questions are important and smart.

Tween (11-13): This developmental phase is all about connection. As with earlier phases, keep the answer short. Not just for ease of comprehension, but to avoid the feeling they are being lectured to.

Teen (14-18): Teens can handle more details and complexity and can better articulate their own questions and feelings. However, it’s crucial to provide space for the teens to ‘try out” their own opinions. 

When talking to teens:

• Listen to their opinions without judgment. 
• Thank them for sharing their thoughts. 
• Use language such as “I’m curious” or “I wonder” if you are seeking more information so that they do not feel criticized or shamed for their views. 
• Use language such as “I feel it is important for…” when stating your view. 
• Avoid telling a teen how to think and feel—that’s a surefire way to slam the doors of communication shut.

3. Identify what they are not asking 

Children do not understand current events in part because they are exposed to bits and pieces. TV, podcasts and radios get turned on and off as children come in and out of rooms. They may see a newspaper or magazine headline in a store but never see the article. Once you’ve answered your child’s questions, analyze what they haven’t asked. Decide if there is a follow-up question you might want to check in with them about to present a bigger picture. 

4. Wonder about the why 

Once your child has gotten their answers, be curious. Ask a simple follow-up such as, “Is there more you would like to know?” or “Is there something you are wondering about?” These types of prompts can help your child to articulate what might be on their mind that is not yet formed into a question.

5. Focus on feelings 

The feelings behind the questions can be more important than the facts. Your child may have worries related to what they are learning. They may hear things from peers or family friends that clash with their understanding of their own families’ values. Ask open-ended questions such as, “Is there something you are worried about?” to let them know that talking about feelings is not only OK, it’s welcome!

6. Do more listening than talking 

Like a good job interview, if the other person does more of the talking, it’s a success. Try to listen more than you speak. If you find you’re are talking more than your child, regardless of your child’s age, stop and return to the first point. 

Election day is still months away but this is a great time to think about what’s important to you as a parent. 

Here are few questions you might ask yourself: 

• What values do you want to share with your child? 
• What values around voting and government are important to your family? 
• What is important for your child, as an individual, to know now? 

Navigating how to talk to kids about politics doesn’t have to be tricky. By fostering open dialogue and active listening, you can help your child understand complex political news. This approach not only helps their understanding of current events but also helps them become better informed and engaged.