Kids and Politics

Today’s fans of Barney can be the ones you admired in powerful positions someday!

Is the upcoming national election something to talk over school recess? Can kids understand the need for Malacañang to refute helping areas hit by the recent cyclones through a partial lifting of price caps on oil prices? These may have been topics under social sciences subjects, but can they participate in the biggest ongoing battles ever made in history?

Parents would have reacted dramatically if these take place. Surprisingly, such idea is even an active buzz in communities. While, some are worrying if these kids are forced to take decisions of agreeing to projects like health care plans or global war concerns. One concern is the authorities handling this kind of pursuit. They might share biased opinions and personal concerns that can lead to more doubts and confusions from the kid. What should parents do in this case?

Program speeches held in schools should be age-appropriate and motivational. The Parents-Teachers Association or PTA can do some research on the contents written in the script. Clear and light words should be used, so that your child’s precious ears are preserved and not traumatized by the presentation of complex ideas. Specially, if the speaker is someone they and the parents haven’t got acquainted with.

Friends and classmates views can also be too influencing to your child’s own opinion and a whole lot different. This can be a start of fights and bringing them to the guidance office. Hence, now is the right time to educate your child of how to deal with the topics taken under their social science or any other subjects taught in school. Or else, it might be too late.

Teach them that politicians are intelligent and really powerful in their responsibilities. They should be admired. Yes, they can ask for “autographs” after attending symposiums and seminars, but what matters is that they ask with respect and reverence. Reassure them that these people work in unity with you of what is best for the country as well as the world. Make them know that politicians or whoever in authority also have their own families and children to look after as well as teach the basics on politics. They can even write replies if ever the kids wish to send them letters to the Malacañang or any government office.

Yes, it’s advisable to have a regular family talk on politics, where parents and the children exchange opinions from varied angles. However, it is still vital to take note that what your child can say about politics takes after what your political views are. Upon the time you came to a point of disagreement, your child can show some uneasiness of the situation. Give them encouraging words and allow them to realize the good or bad sides to what they say. In time, their own point of views is shaped and they will grow to a more shaped individual. Able to act in awareness and contribution for the country. They can even be politicians themselves, who knows?

The secret to this is being a good model to your child. This does not stop you from expressing your own opinions like placing bumper stickers on your shiny BMW with slogans like “Put into trash the traditional politicians” or “Vote ME”. They too have the right of their own. Today’s fans of Barney can be the ones you admired in powerful positions someday.