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5 Tips for Talking to Kids About the Midterm Elections 

Guidance & Support

Think back to the first election you remember as a kid. Was it a presidential election? Do you remember the campaigning leading up to it or just the results afterward? Did you fully understand what was going on or just pick up on pieces here and there? There has always been a lot of noise around elections – and that was before we added social media into the mix! 

With the midterms coming up, it’s likely our kids will start picking up on election coverage and discussions, and they may have questions. Who will they ask first? Their parents. 

No matter their age, children are increasingly exposed to difficult topics involving politics, voting, social issues, and conflict. Our instinct may be to shield them from tough topics, but the truth is that these issues will inevitably touch their lives.  We can help our children better understand what’s happening around them by having thoughtful, age-appropriate conversations with them. 

So, how do we have those conversations? The goal isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to create a safe space where kids can ask questions. 

Tip #1: Make time to talk.  

These conversations matter. If your child asks a question when you’re distracted or busy, it’s okay to tell them you’ll talk about it later. You want to create a comfortable space where you can focus and minimize distractions. 

Tip #2: Think about what you want to say.  

Take time to gather your thoughts and think through the best way to share them with your child based on their age and maturity. Ground your conversation in values like respect, fairness, community, or liberty, and share how these values influence your political opinions. Talk about which issues are most important to you and explain how different candidates plan to address those issues. 

At Indiana Gateway Digital Academy (INGDA), we introduce younger students (grades K–2) to voting through the concept of good citizenship. Strider the Fox, the K12-powered online school mascot, makes the concept approachable by explaining how kids can demonstrate good citizenship: 

  • Be kind to others 
  • Follow the rules in class 
  • Listen to your parents 

Strider then explains that adults demonstrate good citizenship by caring about their community, working with others to solve problems, understanding what’s happening in the world, and voting. 

Tip #3: Be civil and respectful.   

Respectful civic engagement starts at home, so avoid name-calling and stereotyping when discussing different opinions. 

Tip #4: Encourage critical thinking around the media.  

The 24-hour news cycle, TikTok, YouTube, and podcasts fill the airwaves with one-sided perspectives. Teach your children how to stop, think, and analyze what they hear.   

In INGDA’s U.S. Government and Politics class for grades 9–12, students complete lessons on critical thinking about news and misinformation and learn the importance of reading the news closely to check for biased language and credible sources. 

At home, examine the news story together with your child to see: 

  1. Who is delivering the message? 
  1. What voices are missing? 
  1. Are stereotypes or fear being used? 
  1. What does the source want you to believe? 

Together, research the topic and separate facts from opinions, recognize over-the-top language, and look at it from different angles. 

Tip #5: Listen.  

Kids have opinions. Ask yours what they think about the topic and then listen. You can ask open-ended questions about what qualities they believe make a good leader, what they think is important to your family and community, and what they would do if they were in charge.  

You won’t always have answers, and sometimes, you have to be okay saying, “I don’t know.” But your child doesn’t need all the answers. They just need a place to have healthy conversations that build critical thinking, empathy, and respect. 

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