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Contact: Hillary Bates
Highlights Corporate Communications
habates@highlights-corp.com or 614-487-2640

Primary Excitement Extends to Youngest Citizens

HighlightsParents.com Poll Shows Families Using Heated Primary Race to Discuss Values

April 16, 2008 (Columbus, OH)—As the political primaries extend well past Super Tuesday, kids are getting in on the excitement, according to a poll released today by HighlightsParents.com, a website by Highlights for Children that provides information to families and a place to exchange parenting tips.

Parents responded to the site's poll on whether kids were following the presidential primaries. An overwhelming majority, (79%) reported that their kids were following the caucuses and primaries "closely" (36%) or "somewhat" (43%). A minority (21%) reported that their kids were not interested at all. While schools often use elections as a time to discuss civics, the poll revealed that the majority (65%) of kids get their information about the primaries from home. Their other sources were school (16%), followed by television (13%), newspapers (4%) and the Internet (1%).

In the poll, parents shared their feelings about discussing politics with their kids. Most expressed comfort, and even enthusiasm, for generating discussion about elections at home. Respondents indicated that they typically begin such discussions when a child is 5 or 6 years of age, but some reported starting even younger.

Some parents see the primaries as a chance to talk about the civic process. One parent shared, "We have been using the primaries to teach our children about how the voting system works. Our son even likes a candidate from a different party (which is not a problem for us). We are trying to teach our children that it's important to vote for a candidate whose opinions fit with their own ideals."

Other parents felt that the often-contentious primaries were a good opportunity to discuss manners and politics. "When I was growing up [politics] was never discussed. My husband and I have different opinions, but our children respect that and see that we can still have a respectful relationship," reported another parent.

"It's great to see young children interested in the issues and the election process" says Istar Schwager Ph.D., educational psychologist and consulting editor of HighlightsParents.com. "Kids are the voters of tomorrow, so it's important that they be involved participants in our political conversations. Answering children's questions clearly, in age-appropriate ways, may sharpen our own thinking and send us looking up information we've forgotten. In discussions with kids, everyone benefits."

HighlightsParents.com is created by Highlights for Children, the publisher of Highlights magazine, the most widely-read children's magazine in the nation, and Highlights High Five, a magazine for children ages 2-6 and an iParenting Media Award winner. HighlightsParents.com offers articles on coping with day-to-day conflicts such as child-care, homework, discipline and sibling rivalry, activities to do with kids, as well as parent-to-parent advice from readers.