JOLIET, Ill. – With the imminent election, many parents are asking how they can talk to their kids about the current political climate in America, the election, or how they can answer questions from their kids about if their voice really matters.
“Civic engagement and engagement in our social justice initiatives around the nation and within our state are really important because it not only fits our United States pledge but also the 4-H Pledge,” says Jamita Brown, Extension 4-H youth development educator. “If our youth pledge their hands to larger service for their clubs, communities, country, and their world, this seems to say that they want a world and a nation that all people can feel like they belong in. It's important that our youth connect with others to help what they pledge come to life.”
Connecting with others and “living the pledge” is something that 4-H is passionate about. According to Brown, the liberties that our country promises us are the very reasons we need to prioritize talking with our youth about politics and the election:
“If our nation's pledge promises liberty and justice for all, let's all use our voices to amplify that for everyone rather than silence them. Although youth may not be 18 and have a vote, they can commit themselves to helping throughout their communities.”
To help parents, the University of Illinois Extension 4-H provides the following suggestions and helpful resources for families in talking with your kids about the election and ways to empower them to seek change in their communities:
- Talk to your kids about the election – do they have any concerns or are they worried? Do they want to share with you their feelings? Do they understand how an election works? Discuss as a family.
- Check out the University of Illinois Extension’s Terrific Teachable Moments app which gives parents resources to help with social and emotional learning. Help your children talk through their feelings.
- Explore the Civic Engagement Spark Sheet for a brief overview of Civic Engagement and what it means to be involved in the community: go.illinois.edu/civic-engagement
- Explore the Opportunity4All initiative from National 4-H Council for information on empowering youth to talk about the opportunity gap
- Explore the Civic Engagement Project at Illinois 4-H: go.illinois.edu/4Hcivicengagement
- Learn more about how 4-H is empowering leaders through authentic leadership opportunities which elevate youth voice: go.illinois.edu/empower-leaders
While these are just a few resources to assist parents, University of Illinois Extension 4-H says the important key is to just have a discussion.
“Youth voice is extremely important. Just like anyone else, youth have opinions, ideas, and a vision for what they want the world to look like,” says Anthony Warmack, Extension 4-H program coordinator, “talking to your kids about the election, the state of our world, and the future is super important; not only because it allows youth to talk through their feelings, but also because it empowers them to seek change in their community.”
More information about the local 4-H program can be found at extension.illinois.edu/gkw
SOURCE: Jamita Brown, 4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois Extension
SOURCE: Anthony Warmack, 4-H Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, 4-H Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension
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