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U.S. preschools start their students with civics education early

U.S. preschools start their students with civics education early

As lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol voted on a budget deal, a different kind of vote was taking place a dozen miles away in a sun-drenched Virginia preschool classroom. At Stake: Which animated dog was the best character in the animated film “PAW Patrol”? In a heated primary, the three- and four-year-old students in Room 14 of the ACCA Child Development Center had narrowed the decision down to two finalists: Chase, a German Shepherd who wears a police uniform, and Skye, who wears a pink “puppy pack” and is very popular with the girls in the class. The children cast their vote by scribbling their names in colored pencil under the pictures of the two characters. In the morning it was a dead heat: five votes to five. Benejas Abeselome, 4, put his name down for Chase. “The police take bad guys,” Benejas said. “I wanted the police because I like police work.” It will be years before these young people participate in a real election, but ACCA is one of many preschools across the country that have exposed their students to civics at an early age. The goal is to raise good citizens and strengthen democracy. At this age, children don’t learn about the three branches of government or how a bill becomes a law. Teachers work with them on how to resolve problems with classmates, how to deal with anger or disappointment without being hurtful, and how to think about the needs of others. Teachers say it can be difficult to learn lessons from adult politicians — especially during a inflammatory campaign season. “We are all here to help develop these children into better citizens … better problem solvers and more socially and emotionally equipped,” said Mary Folks, a teacher at the school. “Because once they get a handle on that, I feel like the things they achieve and do will have a better impact on this world.” The most important civics preschool can teach is “social democracy,” Dan said Gartrell, a preschool education expert. His book “Education for a Civil Society,” about educating preschool children about democracy, is used by ACCA and other preschools. It “starts with recognizing each member of the group as a worthy member and as worthy of expressing their thoughts and ideas,” Gartrell said. From there, he said, children can learn to be kind to their peers, resolve conflicts and handle difficult situations without using hurtful words. Engaging with young children in a way that makes them feel like their voice matters is an important foundation, said Rachel Robertson, the chief academic officer for Bright Horizons, which runs more than 1,000 preschool centers worldwide and in its early childhood education center Approach represents democratic ideals. Around age 3 or 4, “a child begins to be a real member of the community, to contribute to the classroom community and to think a little more broadly about the world,” Robertson said. At ACCA, as in many preschools, young people are offered a lot of autonomy. There are hours dedicated to free play. Kids can vote on what they learn and eat: One classroom had just finished sand learning because kids were curious about it after summer beach trips. And students can taste apples and vote on which variety the school will order. All of this is intended to show children that their thoughts are valuable – as are those of their classmates. This Thursday, “PAW Patrol” was on everyone’s mind. In Room 11, three-year-old Jade, wearing pink sneakers that lit up as she entered, explained why she supported Skye. “I like their helicopter,” Jade said. “I like that it saves everyone.” In Room 13, teachers designed ballots in English and Spanish. When they asked the class who won the election, one boy confidently answered, “Me!” Many of the preschoolers represent the first generation of their families to be born in the United States. María-Isabel Ballivian, the preschool’s executive director, said she looks for ways to remind them that they are Americans, even if their families don’t speak English and have recently arrived from other countries. For one thing, she hosts a large gathering on the Fourth of July. “If we give them that sense of belonging now, it will be a tool they need to become resilient when faced with discrimination,” Ballivian said. Ballivian said that many politicians might learn something when they go back to kindergarten — for example, how to overcome disappointment and how to think about the well-being of people who are different from them. “I don’t see how we can change the adults,” Ballivian said. “But I know that if we work hard, we can prepare our children for a better future.” Back in Room 14, there was an important development. Another student named Janet had cast her vote and wrote her name with an upside-down “J” under Skye’s photo. The students counted the votes out loud. Skye emerged victorious. ___Associated Press writers Nathan Ellgren and Almaz Abedje contributed to this article.

ANNANDALE, Va. –

As lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol voted on a budget deal, a dozen miles away in a sun-drenched Virginia preschool classroom, a different kind of vote was taking place. At Stake: Which animated dog was the best character in the animated film “PAW Patrol”?

In a heated primary, the three- and four-year-old students in Room 14 of the ACCA Child Development Center had narrowed the decision down to two finalists: Chase, a German Shepherd who wears a police uniform, and Skye, who wears a pink “puppy pack” and is Very popular with the girls in the class. The children cast their vote by scribbling their names in colored pencil under the pictures of the two characters. In the morning it was a dead heat: five votes to five.

Benejas Abeselome, 4, put his name down for Chase.

“The police take bad guys,” Benejas said. “I wanted police because I like police work.”

It will be years before these young people participate in a real election, but ACCA is one of many preschools across the country that have exposed their students to civics at an early age. The goal is to raise good citizens and strengthen democracy.

At this age, children don’t learn about the three branches of government or how a bill becomes a law. Teachers work with them on how to resolve problems with classmates, how to deal with anger or disappointment without being hurtful, and how to think about the needs of others. Teachers say it can be difficult to learn lessons from adult politicians — especially during a inflammatory campaign season.

“We are all here to help develop these children into better citizens … better problem solvers and more socially and emotionally equipped,” said Mary Folks, a teacher at the school. “Because once they get a handle on that, I feel like the things they achieve and do will have a better impact on this world.”

The most important civic lesson preschools can teach is “social democracy,” said Dan Gartrell, an early education expert. His book “Education for a Civil Society,” about educating preschool children about democracy, is used by ACCA and other preschools.

It “starts with recognizing each member of the group as a worthy member and as worthy of expressing thoughts and ideas,” Gartrell said. From there, he said, children can learn to be kind to their peers, resolve conflicts and navigate difficult situations without using hurtful words.

Engaging with young children in a way that makes them feel like their voice matters is important foundational work, said Rachel Robertson, the chief scientific officer of Bright Horizons, which operates more than 1,000 preschool centers worldwide and promotes democratic ideals in its represents an early childhood approach.

Around age 3 or 4, a child begins to “become a real member of the community, contribute to the classroom community and think a little more broadly about the world,” Robertson said.

At ACCA, as in many preschools, young people are given a lot of autonomy. There are hours dedicated to free play. Kids can vote on what they learn and eat: One classroom had just completed sand learning because kids were curious about it after summer beach trips. And students can taste apples and vote on which variety the school will order.

All of this is intended to show children that their thoughts are valuable – as are those of their classmates. This Thursday, “PAW Patrol” was on everyone’s mind.

In Room 11, three-year-old Jade, wearing pink sneakers that lit up as she entered, explained why she supported Skye.

“I like their helicopter,” Jade said. “I like that she saves everyone.”

In Room 13, teachers created ballots in English and Spanish. When they asked the class who won the election, one boy confidently answered, “Me!”

Many of the preschoolers represent the first generation of their families to be born in the United States. María-Isabel Ballivian, the preschool’s executive director, said she looks for ways to remind them that they are Americans, even if their families don’t speak English and have recently arrived from other countries. For one thing, she hosts a large July 4th gathering.

“If we give them that sense of belonging now, it will be a tool to help them become more resilient when faced with discrimination,” Ballivian said.

Ballivian said many politicians could learn something from returning to preschool — such as how to overcome disappointment and how to think about the well-being of people who are different from them.

“I don’t see how we can change the adults,” Ballivian said. “But I know that if we work hard, we can prepare our children for a better future.”

Back in Room 14, there was an important development. Another student named Janet had cast her vote and wrote her name with an upside-down “J” under Skye’s photo. The students counted the votes out loud. Skye emerged victorious.

___

Associated Press journalists Nathan Ellgren and Almaz Abedje contributed to this article.