1. Learn the History of Suffrage

The right to vote is a special privilege. Teach your children about who has the right to vote and how that changed through history. Here are three talking points to get you started:

1. Although African-Americans were allowed to vote with the ratification of the 14th and 15th Amendments, widespread racism in state and local governments hindered the full expression of what the law allowed. Learn about Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement in terms of its impact on voting rights.
2. Women weren’t allowed to vote until 1919 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Study the bold determinism of the suffragettes and how they battled sexism in American society.
3. Until 1971, American citizens had to be 21 to vote. Do your kids know why the voting age decreased? In the Vietnam War, the average age of U.S. soldiers was 19. They were old enough to fight and die, but not old enough to vote.

2. Study American History

“Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it,” Winston Churchill said in a 1948 speech to the House of Commons, modifying the words of writer and philosopher George Santayanain.

To state it in simple terms: Those of us wanting to make a difference need to study history to avoid repeating mistakes made by those before us.

Change that works results only when it’s initiated, implemented, and supported by informed citizens. Kids don’t need to wait to vote to make a difference. They can learn more about our nation and the rest of the world now.

A solid American history curriculum will help you guide your kids. You want one that isn’t afraid to clearly point out the Christian foundation of the nation but doesn’t whitewash America’s mistakes with a false brush of superiority.

3. Learn How the American Government Works

Our government is a democracy—an intricate system of checks and balances which protect the American people from any one branch having too much power. The result is a government that isn’t always easy to understand or quick to change.

Here are some additional suggestions:

Research Your Local Ballot

While an incumbent president makes for an exciting election, not all politics takes place in the White House. Research local ballots where laws have a direct effect on your day-to-day life.
– What offices are up for election?
– Who is currently in office?
– Who are the candidates for this election?
– What is the role of those elected offices?
– Which candidate do you think would make the best choice? Why?

Learn About Current Events

Make discussion about current events part of your homeschool day. Conversation starters regarding policy and activism can be pulled from hot topics such as:
– education
– environmental issues
– gun rights and gun control
– asylum, immigration, and border security
– healthcare

A simple internet search can help you find news sources created specifically for children. Of course you will still want to pick and choose articles that are the most appropriate for your family and have lots of careful conversation to help your children make sense of what’s happening.

3. Take Political Action

What are your kids most passionate about? They don’t have to wait to vote to take action. Homeschooling gives us more flexibility. Take advantage of it! Here are just a few ways kids can make a big difference.
– Fund-raise or contribute.
– Raise awareness.
– Volunteer.

Need some inspiration? Take a look at these stories:
– How this teen raised $70,000 for his community by organizing basketball games
– A passion to save gorillas makes one 11-year-old a ‘hero’
– She’s only 10 and already making a big difference in cleaning up the beaches
– This 9-year-old learned the Heimlich maneuver. The next day, she saw her friend choking.
– Kindergartner with arthritis starts crayon drive to help other sick kids

4. Make Your Voice Heard

Having a calm conversation about electoral candidates and their platforms is a skill many adults have yet to master. Emotions run high at election time. In addition many individuals are fiercely secretive about their opinions and may not be open to frank discussion of political views.

Here are ways for concerned and informed homeschoolers to be heard.
– Volunteer for a local campaign.
– Distribute flyers or hold signs at a polling location.
– Write a blog post or letter to the editor.
– Privately converse with amenable family and friends.
– Join a local or homeschool co-op debate club.

5. Pray for Politicians

One of the most powerful and supportive actions an adult or minor can take during election time is to pray for those who have undertaken a political career. Winning an election puts a person in a unique position of power. Sometimes it can be very hard to use that power for good. One of the greatest things we can do for those in elected office is to pray that they are honest and make decisions consistent with God’s teachings.

Homeschooling gives us the freedom and flexibility to dive deep into the upcoming presidential election. Get informed, get active, and express your faith as a family! After all, voting isn’t the only way to make a difference.