Election Day in Kindergarten

                   

On Tuesday, Amy Widestrom, Avila'a mom, came to visit the kindergarten classes to share about the importance and meaning of election day and voting. The experience began with a discussion about the many ways that decisions can be made:

• one person can make a decision for all
• everyone has to agree on something
• people can compromise to make a decision
• voting in a democracy so we all get to help make a decision, have a voice

To make the election and voting experience concrete for our kindergartners, the children needed to decide what snack the group would eat, cheddar bunnies or vanilla blueberry granola bars. It was so interesting to see and hear children begin to spontaneously share why their snack favorite should be voted for and ultimately win. It was fascinating to witness a microcosm of the democratic process and campaigning quickly develop in kindergarten!

Why should we vote for cheddar bunnies?

• "They are made from cheddar."
• "Because I like cheddar bunnies!"
• "They are crunchy."
• "They are shaped like bunnies."

Why should we vote for vanilla blueberry granola bars?

• "Vanilla is yummy."
• "I want them very, very much!"
• "They look really yummy."
• "They are healthy."

                                     

                   

   

After many statements (and pleas) from the children about their snack favorite, the children went to the polls to vote. Using a paper ballot and a check mark, the choices were made. The ballot box was filled and the anticipation for the final election results began.

                      

                                           

                         

As the votes were tallied, the children cheered and hugged as they saw their favorite snack pull into the lead. At first it was a close call but as the votes were counted, the cheddar bunnies pulled ahead. As the last votes were tallied, many children cheered and even a few tears emerged as the decision for cheddar bunnies was made. A discussion then arose about how grown-ups might feel after an election if their candidate did not win! We were reminded that in a democracy one candidate is decided through voting and once the election is over, that is the decision made. Everyone will have to live with that decision!
                         
                                               
Nonetheless, there were many passionate pleas and a few tears for the other candidate, the "vanilla blueberry bars." It seemed as if the children really understood the impact a democracy had on making decisions! Realizing that these five and six year old children will eventually live with democratic votes and elections as adults, we "gave in" and each child selected what they individually wanted to eat.

                       

Our election experience then moved outside as Amy read a fun and informative book, House Mouse, Senate Mouse by Cheryl and Pete Barnes. The book explored how their needed to be compromises as the mice in Congress worked together to designate a national cheese for the United Mice of America!

Our afternoon with Amy was full of fun and learning about a very important process in a democracy. Amy was able to make a very abstract concept for young friends, concrete and  meaningful. A huge thank you to Amy for sharing with our kindergarten classes!

Please note that families are always welcome to share throughout the year with our kindergarten friends. The children love to make connections with familiar faces and these experiences are memorable and valuable parts of our classroom learning. We invite you to share a favorite family book, art project, a cooking activity, music sharing, family tradition/holiday, and/or a passion or hobby. Just let us know, and we will make a plan for kindergarten sharing.