Select Region
Let's Get Social!


Highlights Magazine Releases State of the Kid: The Election Edition

Highlights Magazine Releases State of the Kid: The Election Edition


Highlights released its annual State of the Kid report, with an emphasis on the upcoming presidential election, according to its website.

“Now in its eighth year, our survey has covered a variety of topics important to children and families. Year after year, the kids’ responses have been unfailingly illuminating— sometimes funny and consistently thoughtful and honest,” says Christine French Cully, editor-in-chief of Highlights.

With the country getting ready to appoint a new president, it made sense that this year’s State of the Kid would focus on the election. State of the Kid polled children to see if families are talking about the election, and learned that the majority of respondents—80 percent—said yes, the election is a topic of discussion at home, either often or at least a little bit.

Some of the polls other findings include:

  • When it comes to actually running for president, only 35 percent of kids are interested, with 28 percent saying they would do so to make a difference.
  • 50 percent of kids said the first thing they want our new president to work on is keeping our country safe.
  • If kids could paint the White House, 36 percent would choose blue.
  • 25 percent of kids want the new president to know that school/education is important, while 18 percent want him/her to realize that being a kid is stressful and 10 percent of kids want to feel safe.
  • And 50 percent of kids are most proud to be an American because they have freedom/rights here.

 



Talking about the election can be a key opportunity to teach children critical thinking skills and the value of forming opinions. “Conversations can be more powerful when opinions come from kids,” says Dr. Rebecca Michnick Golinkoff, a Highlights contributor. “If you just tell your child something, it may go in one ear and out the other. But if you ask the child to make the judgment, the child is going to be forced to think more. And when children think more, the lesson lasts longer.”

RELATED: How Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's Child Care Plans Compare

Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates on fun events and other family activities in your area.

More News Articles:

Latest News:

Family Activities:

Have a Laugh:

Author: Linda DiProperzio has written extensively on parenting issues for Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and Family Circle, among others. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons. See More

Featured Listings:

Camps 'R' Us

Camps 'R' Us

The most affordable private summer day camp on Long Island.

Future Stars Summer Camps -- Nassau

Future Stars Summer Camps -- Nassau

The Ultimate Summer Camp Experience! For 40+ years, Future Stars has helped campers build skills, character, friendships, and lasting memories. 8 Loca...

Achieve Martial Arts

Achieve Martial Arts

Scarsdale, Achieve Martial Arts provides challenging programs for children ages 3 and up, and for teens and adults. The school's martial arts instructors have ov...

Eglevsky Ballet

Eglevsky Ballet

Bethpage, NY Eglevsky Ballet has been part of Long Island for over 50 years. As the official ballet company of The Tilles Center, Eglevsky Ballet is the premier b...