Start with something that will keep their attention and simple enough to understand. Something like this movie
Animal
Farm. Entertaining, educational, and can be used as a reference later on.
For example, one evening you're watching something unfold in the political realm and can't help but shout at the tv. When your kid(s) rushes in to
see what's up, you can think of an scene from the movie an use it to explain what just happened and your feelings toward it.
"Remember when Napoleon said...this...but...did that?" or, how about "Major's speech that excited the entire animal population. The pigs coming
together after Major's death, vowing to carry out his vision, Remember how the other farm animals were so determined and passionate?" Or, "When
the work horse started out so happy and eager to put in all the hard work needed, for the common cause of animalism? And, how he worked and worked
and worked, until the poor horse just couldn't work anymore?"
Get the book,
The Children's
Story. It's an easy read. I read it to my kids in one sitting. Then, we discussed the book in great length, while preparing dinner that
evening.
Get each of them a pocket Constitution. A few organizations give them out for free We have people passing them out at our town's annual July 4th
parade, I always try to grab a couple of new ones each year. Refer to it as often as you can. Anytime you see an opportunity to look up something, do
it as a family (like a family game). Have the kids read a particular section aloud and come up with 3 examples or reasons it affects them and/or why
they should care.
This is how I started. Well, I don't spend as much time on the Constitution as I'd like, but life does seem to get in the way. Thanks for
reminding me. I have to get back to it, or I'd be a hypocrite.
