Teaching Students about Politics

Posted by Susan Hyde Mar 8, 2008

This week Maine Representative Kerri Prescott (R-Topsham) arranged for my two boys and other members of our homeschool co-op to have a truly inspiring hands-on political experience. The children, who ranged in age from five to eleven, worked as Honorary Pages in the House of Representatives during a legislative session at the Maine State House.

We arrived early for the session so that the kids could meet Representative Prescott, take pictures, and receive a briefing on the rules of serving as an Honorary Page. Before the session, the ten children waited at the back of the chamber where they met several more representatives, including teacher and state Representative Seth Berry (D- Bowdoinham), and they learned about the role of the Sergent-at-Arms.

After the benediction, National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings (D-Portland) introduced the students by name as they were led to the front of the State House ("We were famous!" my younger son exclaimed later.)

As the legislative session commenced, our well-dressed group was kept quite busy delivering messages throughout the chamber, and while I'm quite sure that they did not have a full understanding of all of the precedings, they were definitely introduced to the idea that our representational democracy is "of the people and by the people."

Honorary Page programs exist in many states and can usually be arranged with a call to a local Congressman. What a perfect way to introduce children to the workings of the government.