Happy President’s Day!
Each year, we celebrate President’s Day on the third Monday in February to acknowledge and honor the legacy of all the individuals who have served as President of the United States. President’s Day is a great opportunity to discuss civic literacy with your kids. Talking to kids about presidents should be age-appropriate, engaging, and connected to their understanding of leadership and history. WFSU is here to share some tips on how parents can approach these conversations at different stages.
Preschool (Ages 3-5)
For preschool-aged children, keep it simple. Start by explaining to them that the President serves as a leader for our country and that they help make big decisions. It may be helpful to use picture books of past presidents or to compare the president’s role to the role of a teacher or a parent. It may be fun to let your kids “vote” on a small household decision such as “Would you like to have chicken or beef for dinner tonight?” or “Which book would you like to read today?” PBS KIDS for Parents offers a great list of picture books about presidents and voting.
Elementary School (Ages 6-10)
For elementary-aged children, parents can explain how presidents are chosen. We can explain that presidents are determined by elections, and elections are like big decisions adults help make. In short, registered voters get one vote for president, and whichever candidate has the most votes, wins. We can also share fun facts about presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln was tall, Teddy Roosevelt loved animals, and other fun well known facts. This may be an appropriate age to discuss values and talk to your kids about qualities like honesty, responsibility, and fairness. Kids at this age love asking “why”, we can use these moments as a teaching opportunity. These conversations will build their confidence, and help them know that if they ever want to be a president, they can be! A great resource for parents and/or children at this age is “PBS KIDS Talk About”. This series shows real conversations between children and their parents about a variety of topics, including values like kindness, curiosity, and fairness. The series also includes tips and resources for parents. These episodes cover topics such as “Self-Confidence and Determination”, “Feelings and Emotions”, “Differences and Similarities”, and many more valuable conversions.
Middle School (Ages 11-13)
Middle school can be an appropriate time to discuss major historical events, and how presidents handled these events, helping to continue these conversations outside of the classroom, and fostering their critical thinking skills. At this age, we can introduce civic responsibility, and explain how voting and the government impact daily life. Ask your kids what they think makes a good leader. What qualities does that leader have? Do you have those same qualities? Why are these qualities important? Together you can watch documentaries, and movies, or read articles together and discuss. PBSLearningMedia is a great website to explore with your kids, helping find resources for middle school learners. Inspire your students with videos, games, and activities aligned to state and national standards. Grades 6-8 include 7,206 resources in the Social Studies category alone!
High School (Ages 14-18)
For high school-aged students, it’s important to encourage critical thinking. Discuss leadership styles with them. Encourage respectful discussions about past and current presidents. Help them connect it to real life, discussing how presidential decisions impact things like jobs, education, and rights. Explain to them how they can stay informed. Encourage them to get involved! PBS LearningMedia has a new Civics Collection that teaches civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. It’s a great resource to explore topics such as “The Structure of Our Government”, “Constitutional Amendments and Interpretations”, “Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities” and much more. We can discuss the process of voting, even if they’re not old enough yet. These conversations may inspire them to join their student government or honor societies, step into leadership positions in their clubs or sports, and give them the confidence to work hard and achieve their goals. Explore the Civics Collection here!
At any age, it’s great to keep conversations open, neutral, and engaging, not just on President’s Day. The more kids feel encouraged to ask questions and think critically, the more they’ll understand what leadership means. Kids will develop their own views as they grow. Creating a safe and neutral environment for civic discussion can help your kids become more confident, improve critical reasoning skills, and promote education and knowledge. And who knows—maybe you’re raising a future president!
Written by: Chloe Morrison
