At the Providence Children’s Museum, a unique initiative called “Kid’s Decision 2024” invites young visitors to participate in a playful election where they cast votes for their favorite stuffed animal candidates: Chicken, Frog, or Fox. This whimsical voting experience, which runs through November 5, 2024, not only serves as a fun activity but also aims to introduce children to the principles of democracy and civic engagement. Stephanie Cramer, the education program coordinator, played a pivotal role in creating this engaging event by designing campaign posters and an array of “I voted” stickers. The successful candidate will earn the privilege of joining the museum’s gift shop, showcasing early democratic participation in a creative context.
The museum emphasizes the sophistication and capabilities of children in understanding their choices. As explained by Andrew Leveillee, the museum’s director of education, this initiative is a vital exercise in civics that acknowledges how children, even at a young age, grapple with the significance of their votes. The inventive setup in the Maker Studio includes a red, white, and blue ballot box along with multiple voting booths equipped with Crayola markers to enhance the election experience. This environment seeks to mirror the real-life voting process, making it both educational and enjoyable for the children.
Candidates are presented through humorous and catchy campaign posters designed to resonate with kids. Each candidate has their unique pitch: Chicken boasts of being “egg-cellent,” Frog promotes a “leap forward,” and Fox adopts a more direct plea with “VOTE for FOX.” The initiative encourages children to articulate their preferences based on personal affinities rather than an understanding of complex political ideologies. Victoria Picinich, the museum’s director of development and external relations, underscores the importance of simplifying big world issues so that even the youngest voters can engage meaningfully in the process of voting and understand that their voices matter, albeit in this lighthearted context.
As the election unfolds, enthusiasm is evident among the young participants. By Thursday noon, around 200 votes had already been cast. Families, like Janelle Urena accompanied by her daughter Jersey and niece Kamyrn, partake in the voting activity. Kamyrn opted for Fox while Jersey voted for Chicken, embodying the informal yet significant nature of this charming election. The interaction between the adult guides and children as they ponder their choices adds a personal touch, reminding everyone that every vote counts, no matter how small.
The museum’s atmosphere encourages creativity among children, promoting the idea of not just being passive consumers but also active creators. To facilitate this, the makerspace within the museum engages young visitors in tasks that stimulate their creativity, including making personalized campaign materials. Stephanie Cramer’s involvement includes initiating an interactive platform where kids can design their campaign posters, reinforcing the notion that voting and expression are intertwined. Additionally, children receive “I voted” stickers as a reward for their participation, further engaging them in the democratic process.
Voting at the Providence Children’s Museum is open to both children and adults daily during specified hours. The venue is conveniently located at 100 South St., Providence, offering an inviting space for families to explore and learn together. Admission is reasonably priced at $16, with provisions for free or reduced fees for certain community members. As the museum gears up to reveal the election results on November 6, the day following the presidential election, excitement builds. With daily updates and tracking of votes, the anticipation for a close race adds to the event’s festive spirit. While Frog may currently lag behind, the unpredictability of the campaign ensures that anything could happen by the final voting deadline, leaving everyone eager for the outcomes.