Yet surveys consistently show that their knowledge of history, geography and government is not what it should be. Here are ways parents can help teens develop a greater awareness of the world around them:

• Talk about world events at the dinner table. Ask your teen’s opinion on a world crisis. Challenge each member of the family to learn about a news story and share what they’ve learned with other members of the family.

• Watch the TV news together. Discuss what you see. Get out maps, globes and atlases to learn more about the countries mentioned in the news.

• Make sure your teen reads differing opinions. Subscribe to newspapers or magazines that take differing views on issues. To keep your expenses down, schedule some time when you’re in the library to read opinions published in several different publications.

• Use holidays to teach history. This month, you can use Martin Luther King’s birthday and the Presidential Inauguration to talk about how history affects the present.

• Take your teen to community meetings or encourage your teen to get involved in politics on the local level. Campaigns always need volunteers, and taking part in a political campaign is a great way to teach your teen that one person can make a difference.

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