What You Can Do

· Take your child with you when you vote. Talk to him about candidates, offices they aspire to hold and their positions on key issues.

· Participate in community-building activities, such as cleaning up parks and assisting with school activities. Discuss citizenship with your child and find examples of what good citizens have done for their communities.

· Help your child to resolve conflicts nonviolently. When facing a conflict, encourage your child to do following:

(1) Find out what conflict is. For example, if your child is angry because his little brother barges into his room without knocking, help him to explain conflict by using an "I" statement, such as "I feel angry when you come into my room without knocking." (2) Next, suggest different ways he might resolve conflict. He could say to his brother, "I know I can't always hear when I'm listening to music, so you knock really loud five times--if I don't answer, then open door." Or, "If I don't answer your knock, slide a note under door." Or, "Let's use our walkie talkies."

(3) Then have your child agree on one of choices.

(4) Finally, have him make a plan to check whether solution is working.

Teach your child to respect valued traditions of your heritage. Talk about family customs for showing respect, for honoring elders and for helping community. Encourage her to do these things.