How a preschool uses PAW Patrol to teach democracy

ANNANDALE, Va. — As lawmakers voted on a budget deal at the U.S. Capitol, a different kind of vote was taking place a dozen miles away, in a sunny Virginia preschool classroom. At stake: which animated dog was the best character in the cartoon “PAW Patrol”.

During a heated primary, 3- and 4-year-old students in Room 14 of the ACCA Child Development Center narrowed it down to two finalists: Chase, a German Shepherd who wears a police uniform , and Skye, who wears a police uniform. pink “pack of puppies” and is a favorite of the girls in the class. The children voted by scribbling their names in pencil under the photos of the two characters. By mid-morning, it was a tie: five votes to five.

Benejas Abeselome, 4, entered his name for Chase.

“The police arrest the bad guys,” Benejas said. “I wanted the police because I love the police.”

It will be years before these young people vote in a real election, but ACCA is one of many preschools across the country that introduces its students to civics early. The goal is nothing less than raising good citizens and strengthening democracy.

At this age, children do not learn the three branches of government or how a bill becomes law. Teachers work with them on how to resolve problems with classmates, deal with anger or disappointment without being hurtful, and think about the needs of others. These are lessons, teachers say, that can be difficult to learn from adult politicians — especially during a vitriolic election campaign.

“We’re all here to help these kids become better citizens…better problem solvers and better equipped socially and emotionally,” said Mary Folks, a teacher at the school. “Because once they master that, I feel like the things that they accomplish and the things that they do will have a better impact on this world.”

The most important civics lesson preschools can impart is “social democracy,” said Dan Gartrell, an early education expert. His book on teaching democracy to preschoolers, “Education for a Civil Society,” is used by ACCA and other preschools.

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

Engaging with little ones in a way that makes them feel like their voice matters is important groundwork, said Rachel Robertson, academic director of Bright Horizons, which runs more than 1,000 preschool centers around the world and adheres to democratic ideals in its approach to preschool education.

Around age 3 or 4, a child “starts to be a real community member, contributing to the classroom community and thinking a little more broadly about the world,” Robertson said.

At ACCA, as in many nursery schools, young people benefit from a great deal of autonomy. There are hours dedicated to free play. Kids can vote on what they study and what they eat: One class had just finished studying sand because the kids were curious after summer trips to the beach. And students can taste apples and vote on which variety the school will order.

All of this is intended to affirm to children that their thoughts are valuable, as are those of their classmates. This Thursday, they were all thinking about “PAW Patrol”.

In Room 11, 3-year-old Jade, who wore pink sneakers that lit up when she walked, explained why she supported Skye.

“I like his helicopter,” Jade said. “I love 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 replied, “Me!” »

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

“If we give them that sense of belonging now, it will be a tool they need to become resilient once they face discrimination,” Ballivian said.

Ballivian said many politicians could learn something by going back to preschool — things like how to overcome disappointment and how to think about the well-being of people who aren’t like them.

“I don’t see how we can change 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 voted, writing her name under Skye’s photo with an upside-down “J.” The students counted the votes out loud. Skye emerged victorious.

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

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