We are in the final days of the 2016 race to the White House. Teachers and parents alike are wondering how to talk about politics in a civilized kid-friendly manner. How’s a teacher supposed to teach the current election when conversations surrounding the topic are never civil?

Over the weekend headlines were R-rated and seemed like the punch line of a dirty joke. News changes by the minute, and well—we don’t really want to be sending home a vocabulary list of words that have become the talking points for this political season. 

Teachers often feel unprepared to teach controversial issues. And right now we are smack in the final days of pure political controversy.

But educators would be remiss to avoid conversations about our democracy. To put it plainly–we’ve got to teach the next generation to do better. 

In 2010 I co-authored a research-study that investigated the teaching of controversial issues in the classroom. I’ve compiled a list of eight helpful suggestions as you prepare for a political conversation in your classroom or at home.

1). Know that you are not alone in your angst. Most teachers feel unprepared to talk about controversy in the classroom. Teacher training does often not touch this topic.  So feeling a bit squeamish is common. 

2). Stay neutral about your voting record and core beliefs on issues. Think of yourself as an umpire. Your job is to control the tempo and temperature of the classroom. Even if you adamantly feel we should build a wall or close the coalmines you need not voice your opinion. I personally don’t want my child’s beliefs swayed by that of their teacher. Do you?

3). What should you do when students ask you whether you’ll be voting for Trump, Clinton, Johnson, or Stein? After telling them that it is important that you don’t influence their opinion use humor to diffuse the situation. Say, I am going to “vote for Lincoln!”  Then smile and move on.

4). Take a cue from the candidates and spin the story! If you are uncomfortable diving into the present election (and who isn’t?), focus on history and government. Investigate when women received the right to vote. Teach about the Electoral College— students will be fascinated to learn that each states receive so many “votes” and that our democratic voting system is not built on a collective popular vote. Or study the three branches of government

5). Engage students in a meaningful conversation that it is actually A-OK for people to possess a difference of opinions. Contrary to political ads or the opinion of many media commentators, we don’t have to beat each other up or bad mouth those who disagree with our own personal opinion. To illustrate this point take a few polls in the classroom (i.e…favorite color, favorite food, favorite sport). Ask students if we should shame those who voted for yellow, or chicken, or basketball. Now ask students if we should shame those who vote from Clinton or Trump? Allowing and protecting our right to have a difference of opinions is one facet that makes our democracy great. This is called Freedom of Speech and is protected by the First Amendment. Historically, citizens of other countries have been jailed, killed, and banished for expressing their personal opinions. We should recognize that our government protects its citizens from such behavior. 

6). Teach how our government is an institution that abides by the thought that “Government is OF the people, FOR the people, and BY the people”.   This will help students understand the basic concepts of voting, campaigning, having rights and responsibilities, and that government is created for the people, by the people, and of the people will help students acquire knowledge about our system of government.

7). Know it is important to engage in the conversation about government, elections, and current issues with your students. National Council for the Social Studies defines an effective citizen as one who “embraces core democratic values and strives to live by them,”  “has knowledge of our nation’s founding documents, civic institutions, and political processes,” “is aware of issues and events that have an impact on people at local, state, national, and global levels,” and “seeks information from varied sources and perspectives to develop informed opinions and creative solutions.” (National
 Council 
for
 the
 Social
 Studies
 (2001).
 Creating
 effective 
citizens.
 Retrieved
 May
 26,
 2010 
from 
http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/effectivecitizens.)

8). Children and teens are heavily influenced by their parent’s beliefs. Therefore expect most young ones to be heavily biased toward one candidate. These students might repeat points their parents have vocalized. Don’t repeat these statements to people outside your classroom. The discussions that occur in people’s homes should be kept confidential. If something is so absolutely hilarious that you can’t resist repeating—well, use a pseudonym and tell folks it was an off-the-record conversation and you have to keep your source private! Because “kids do say the darndest things!”

I wish you the best of luck as you navigate the days ahead! And if a kid you know does say something hysterical…will you share it in the comment section of this article (just don’t tell us who it is)? Because at this point…we all need something to laugh at! 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Sarah Philpott

Sarah Philpott Ph.D lives in the south east on a sprawling cattle farm where she raises her two mischievous children (with one on the way!) and is farm wife to her high school sweetheart. A former teacher, she now spends this season of her life cleaning peanut butter & jelly off the counter, dreaming of traveling the world, hosting “get-togethers” for her family & friends, and chasing her kids around the farm. Sarah is represented by The Blythe Daniel Literary Agency. You can visit with Sarah at her http://allamericanmom.net/ blog where she writes about cultivating a life of down-home simplicity. She also has a passion for helping women cope with pregnancy loss.

Our Kids Need Us as Much as We Need Them

In: Kids, Motherhood
Little boy sitting on bench with dog nearby, color photo

During a moment of sadness last week, my lively and joyful toddler voluntarily sat with me on the couch, holding hands and snuggling for a good hour. This brought comfort and happiness to the situation. At that moment, I realized sometimes our kids need us, sometimes we need them, and sometimes we need each other at the same time. Kids need us. From the moment they enter the world, infants express their needs through tiny (or loud) cries. Toddlers need lots of cuddling as their brains try to comprehend black, white, and all the colors of the expanding world around...

Keep Reading

Your Kids Don’t Need More Things, They Need More You

In: Faith, Kids, Motherhood
Mother and young girl smiling together at home

He reached for my hand and then looked up. His sweet smile and lingering gaze flooded my weary heart with much-needed peace. “Thank you for taking me to the library, Mommy! It’s like we’re on a date! I like it when it’s just the two of us.” We entered the library, hand in hand, and headed toward the LEGO table. As I began gathering books nearby, I was surprised to feel my son’s arms around me. He gave me a quick squeeze and a kiss with an “I love you, Mommy” before returning to his LEGO—three separate times. My typically...

Keep Reading

This Time In the Passenger Seat is Precious

In: Kids, Motherhood, Teen
Teen driver with parent in passenger seat

When you’re parenting preteens and teens, it sometimes feels like you are an unpaid Uber driver. It can be a thankless job. During busy seasons, I spend 80 percent of my evenings driving, parking, dropping off, picking up, sitting in traffic, running errands, waiting in drive-thru lines. I say things like buckle your seat belt, turn that music down a little bit, take your trash inside, stop yelling—we are in the car, keep your hands to yourself, don’t make me turn this car around, get your feet off the back of the seat, this car is not a trash can,...

Keep Reading

So God Made My Daughter a Wrestler

In: Kids, Motherhood
Young female wrestler wearing mouth guard and wrestling singlet

God made my girl a wrestler. Gosh, those are words I would never have thought I would say or be so insanely proud to share with you. But I am. I know with 100 percent certainty and overwhelming pride that God made my girl a wrestler. But it’s been a journey. Probably one that started in the spring of 2010 when I was pregnant with my first baby and having the 20-week anatomy ultrasound. I remember hearing the word “girl” and squealing. I was over the moon excited—all I could think about were hair bows and cute outfits. And so...

Keep Reading

A Big Family Can Mean Big Feelings

In: Faith, Kids, Motherhood
Family with many kids holding hands on beach

I’m a mother of six. Some are biological, and some are adopted. I homeschool most of them. I’m a “trauma momma” with my own mental health struggles. My husband and I together are raising children who have their own mental illnesses and special needs. Not all of them, but many of them. I battle thoughts of anxiety and OCD daily. I exercise, eat decently, take meds and supplements, yet I still have to go to battle. The new year has started slow and steady. Our younger kids who are going to public school are doing great in their classes and...

Keep Reading

You May Be a Big Brother, but You’ll Always Be My Baby

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother with young son, color photo

It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. Back then, we were new parents, clueless but full of love—a love that words can hardly explain. I can vividly recall holding you in my arms, rocking you in the cutest nursery, and singing sweet lullabies, just like yesterday. I can picture those times when you were teeny-tiny, doing tummy time, and how proud I was of you for lifting your head. And oh, the happiness on your face when “Baby Shark” played over and over—that song always made you smile! We made sure to capture your growth...

Keep Reading

“It Looks and Tastes Like Candy.” Mom Shares Warning about THC Gummies All Parents Need to Hear

In: Kids, Living, Teen
Hand holding bottle of THC gummies

What Aimee Larsen first thought was a stomach bug turned out to be something much more terrifying for her young son. Her 9-year-old woke up one day last week seeming “lethargic, barely able to stand or speak,” his mom shared in a Facebook post. At first, she assumed he had a virus, but something about his behavior just didn’t seem right. She called an ambulance and asked her older sons if their brother might have gotten into something, like cough syrup or another over-the-counter medicine. Their answer? “Yeah, THC gummies.” THC gummies are an edible form of cannabis that contain...

Keep Reading

Dear Daughter as You Grow into Yourself

In: Kids, Motherhood, Tween
Girl in hat and dress-up clothes, color photo

My daughter, I watched you stand in front of the mirror, turning your body left and right. Your skirt was too big and your top on backward. Your bright blue eyeshadow reached your eyebrows and bold red blush went up to your ears. You didn’t care. I watched you marvel at your body, feeling completely at ease in your skin. You turned and admired yourself with pride. You don’t see imperfections. You don’t see things you are lacking. You see goodness. You see strength. RELATED: Daughter, When You Look in the Mirror, This is What I Hope You See I’m...

Keep Reading

My Child with Special Needs Made His Own Way in His Own Time

In: Kids, Motherhood
Mother holding child's hand walking across street

I want to tell you the story of a little boy who came to live with me when he was three years old. Some of you may find this story familiar in your own life. Your little boy or girl may have grown inside you and shares your DNA or maybe they came into your life much older than three. This little boy, this special child, my precious gift has special needs. Just five short years ago, he was a bit mean and angry, he said few understandable words, and there was a lot about this world he didn’t understand. Unless...

Keep Reading

Organized Sports Aren’t Everything

In: Kids, Motherhood
Young girl with Alpaca, color photo

Today I watched my little girl walk an alpaca. His name is Captain. Captain is her favorite. He’s my favorite too. I met his owner on Instagram of all places. She thought I was in college; I thought she was a middle-aged woman. Turns out, she is in high school, and I am a middle-aged woman. This random meeting led to a blessing. We call it “llama lessons.” We take llama lessons every other week. It’s an hour away on the cutest hobby farm. Our “teacher” is Flora, who boards her llamas at the alpaca farm. She wants to teach...

Keep Reading