Talking to kids about the Inauguration. A presidential Inauguration usually isn't something parents need to talk about with their kids, but this year is a year like no other. Should you let children watch on live TV? How do you discuss continuing anger over false allegations that Joe Biden didn't win? (Above, the president-elect is sworn in as vice president at the 2013 Inauguration as his wife, Jill, stands beside him.) How do you deal with your child's anxiety when you're having trouble dealing with your own? Start with a conversation. “You want to create an open space for conversation,” says DePaul University associate professor Alyssa Westring, co-author of Parents Who Lead. “So you might just start with something like, ‘The Inauguration is coming up. Do you know what that is? What have you heard about it?’ Give them space to talk.” Check out other tips for helping your child understand this year's Inauguration. And don't forget that despite the insecurity, the Inauguration is still a great opportunity to teach children about history and civics. See below for ideas.
Just the facts. Please. This week will likely mean a lot of confusing news for kids about the transition of power. Help them suss out the truth by becoming expert fact-checkers. This kid-friendly article provides tips on verifying sources and experts, as well as sorting out hoaxes. Here’s a parent-friendly version on helping your children develop media literacy skills.
