How much do children know about our political system? Not as much as you may think, according to a national study. As states demand standardized testing in subjects other than history, there's less focus on teaching history and politics and more focus on each school district and state looking smart, so they can get funding.

So what then can we do as parents to help ensure our children know about the one right that we as americans should all excercise?Just how do we enrich our child's civic education?

When I was a child I can remeber very vividly, being taken by my father and his family(which consisted of his two aunts and uncle and their spouses)each election day, weather local or national, to vote.We would make an entire day of it, there was no school that day because all parents took their chidlren to vote, Little did they know the opportunity was there for a civics lesson and although they never sat me down and went over the issues with me until I was much older, just being there gave me great insight of how important it was to vote.

"The single most important factor in whether young people vote in their first or second eligible election is whether their parents vote," says Eric Plutzer, a Pennsylvania State University political science professor.

In the past there were so many excuses people gave for why they didn't vote. Registration used to be an issue, but now online registration, like the new user-friendly tool on Rock the Vote's website, has made it easier. Another excuse is that the whole process seems intimidating.

So how then do we start getting our children involved?

It may also help shatter the stereotypes surrounding young voters, mainly that they don't show up. According to recent statistics from Rock the Vote, that's not true. Voter turnout among 18-to-29-year-olds was significantly up in 2004 and 2006. "It's just really hard to rebut conventional wisdom, even when the facts show it's not the case," says Kat Barr of Rock the Vote.

Another way to get involved is to volunteer for an organization, like Kids Voting USA, that provides a similar service. In the late 1980s, the three founders visited Central America and saw voter turnout was high. They attributed it to the tradition of kids going to the polls with their parents, explains Kids Voting USA President and CEO John Barse. But because not every parent is politically active, the organization's affiliates come into classrooms across the country and have kids, well, vote. Depending on the location, students fill out paper ballots or vote online, getting a taste of democracy.

As Election Day approaches, create a mock ballot for each family member to cast a vote. Select some key positions (such as the president) and include some important issues on the ballot. Have each family member write an explanation for his/her decisions. Place the ballots in an envelope to be opened and tallied the night of the election. In turn, this will excite the children about the election and will create a desire for them to know the results of both the family mock election and the official election.

Finally, encourage your child to vote. Whether it is in the family’s mock trial, a student body campaign, or for local or national government, children need encouragement throughout the voting process. Children must understand that their vote is important…it matters…it counts.