I’ve always taught my students that we live in a democracy. We even practice it on a daily basis, voting on anything that needs settling, with a “majority rules” mentality. We also discuss the importance of good sportsmanship- a lot. So suffice it to say that when we have an election, and people begin rioting about the winner or the lack thereof, and I have to explain to my second graders why adults are being poor sports about something so important? Come on!

Dear adults, we are adults, correct? Last I checked that was one of the requirements for being able to vote. Please remember who is watching you, who is modeling your behavior. Please refrain from any behavior that you do not want your child to mimic at any age-appropriate activity where they will get disciplined. Please understand that your viewpoint and opinion is great, but displaying inappropriate behavior, on either side of the coin, is not acceptable and there will be great repercussions attached to it, in the demonstrations of your children. They are soaking everything up like sponges. And will learn to utilize your behavior as a stepping stone for years to come. Be responsible and take responsibility for your actions.

Please remember to discuss the behavior of others with your child. Allow them to voice their opinions and value them. Let them know that what they say is important and that sometimes adults do not behave the way they should. Remind your child that it’s okay to have different points of view, but it is not okay to trample on others’ points of view. Teach them to win, and lose, with grace and dignity, even at a very young age.

We need to teach our children the power of democracy, without the embarrassing aftermath, it may hold. Democracy is a powerful ideology but can be a double-edged sword if not handled with grace and appreciation. We need to instill in our children how amazing the United States is, as a collective and collaborative union, not as the result of one person or event. It has taken millions of people to get where we are today as a nation, let us not forget that, and let us not forget to instill that in our children. The office of one person does not make our nation great.

Furthermore we need to make sure that our children know that their voices will be heard. Every vote DOES count. We need to help them understand the importance of having an opinion and being heard. We need to make sure they understand the power of complacency and why it can cause death to democracy and how that death can bring a nation to its knees. We need to make sure they understand the love of a country and how its greatness has a domino effect on other nations.

Please make it a point to teach outside of the curriculum. Teach our future to be the voice of democracy. Teach them to appreciate what they have and privileges they have been afforded. Teach the to not take any of it for granted. Teach them to be great.