Politics for Beginners
#1 of 6 in Usborne Big Subjects For Beginners Series
on Goodreads (417)
What’s inside...
An informative guide to political systems, elections, voting and government, and issues including feminism, human rights, freedom of speech and fake news, all explained with clear text and bright, infographic style illustrations. Includes tips on how to argue and debate, a glossary, and links to specially selected websites with more information. Understanding politics is essential to understanding the world around us. That’s why Usborne are publishing Politics for Beginners, ideal for children (and adults) who’d like a no-nonsense, easy-to-understand guide to what politics is all about. What is an election? Who gets to be Prime Minister or President? What does immigration mean? This essential introduction to politics for children answers all these questions and many more. Topics debated include capitalism, socialism and nationalism, terrorism, voting systems, free speech and human rights. Includes: - Simple explanations of BIG ideas - Cartoons, comic strips and diagrams - Debating tips - Internet links - Glossary and index
Discussion points
What do you think are some important qualities for a leader to have?
Why do you think rules and laws are important in society?
How do different countries decide who gets to be in charge?
How can people make a positive change in their community or country?
What did you find most surprising or interesting about how governments work?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child what they know about government and politics, as this can provide a good starting point.
Encourage your child to relate the concepts in the book to their experiences, such as rules at home or in school.
Use current events or simple examples from daily life to illustrate the concepts discussed in the book.
Let your child express their opinion and thoughts, and respond with open-ended questions to deepen the discussion.
Highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in politics, and encourage your child to think about different views and their implications.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Democracy
Explanation: The book explains how democracy functions with examples of voting and elections, making complex ideas accessible for young readers.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of participating in school or community elections and understand the value of their voice within a group.
Example Lesson: Recognizing the Role of Government
Explanation: Through straightforward explanations, the book outlines different roles within the government and their responsibilities.
Real-World Application: Kids can better appreciate how decisions made at various levels of government affect their everyday lives, from local playgrounds to national laws.
Example Lesson: Importance of Political Activism
Explanation: The narrative encourages young readers to think about how they can contribute to political movements or causes they care about.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to engage in community activities, like environmental clean-ups or other volunteer opportunities, understanding that their actions can lead to change.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diverse Opinions
Explanation: The book presents multiple political ideologies and perspectives, promoting an understanding that different opinions exist.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the skills to respectfully listen to and consider various viewpoints in their interactions at school and other social settings.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: By discussing propaganda and media influence, the book teaches children to analyze and question the information presented to them.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to critically evaluate the credibility of sources and the content of messages they encounter in media or advertisements.