All Parenting Is Civic: How Civic Life Begins at Home

Learning Civic Hope, Optimism, and Resilience Alongside Our Children

In this episode, we explore how families can cultivate civic hope, optimism, and resilience at a moment when many parents and children are navigating narratives of distrust, division, and social isolation. Ashley Berner, director of the Johns Hopkins University's Institute for Education Policy and an associate professor of education, joins Julie Silverbrook, Lindsey Cormack, and Sarah Vacchiano to discuss how resilience, hope, and optimism begin in the everyday moments of family life — learning frustration tolerance through a difficult puzzle, negotiating responsibilities at home, caring for shared spaces, and practicing how to disagree respectfully while remaining connected to one another.  Throughout the conversation, we examine how these small relational experiences help children build the psychological and civic muscles necessary for life in a constitutional democracy. We talk about the importance of teaching children that democracy is not built on unanimity, but on learning how to live, work, and solve problems together despite our differences. Together, we reflect on how families, schools, libraries, museums, and local civic institutions can work together to nurture the next generation of engaged citizens and strengthen the habits of self-government that sustain constitutional democracy.  Resources  * National Constitution Center, Family Learning Resources [https://constitutioncenter.org/education/family]  * National Constitution Center, Civic Quest [https://constitutioncenter.org/civic-quest], a new play-based family learning experience  * National Constitution Center, NCC Trivial Pursuit: Exploring America’s Story (Bitesize) [https://nccmuseumstore.com/ncc-trivial-pursuit-exploring-america-s-story-bitesize/]  * Julie Silverbrook, “At 250, America Needs Civic Parenting, Not Just Civics Classes [https://thefulcrum.us/civic-engagement-education/civic-education-for-youth-2676850561],” The Fulcrum (May 5, 2026)  * Rick Hess, “What Is Civic Hope? And Why Should Schools Care About It? [https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-what-is-civic-hope-and-why-should-schools-care-about-it/2026/03],” Education Week (March 17, 2026)   * Lindsey Cormack, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's up to You to Do It) [https://howtoraiseacitizen.com/] (2024)  * Sarah Vacchiano, Civic EQ [https://www.civiceq.org/]  Stay Connected and Learn More  * Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠ [podcast@constitutioncenter.org]  * Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr  * Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250]  * Explore ⁠We the People⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts] for a deeper dive    * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly] to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate   * Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen   * Join us at the ⁠museum⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/museum], attend an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠live program⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs] or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A]  * Support our important work:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/donate]

All Parenting Is Civic: How Civic Life Begins at Home

In this inaugural episode, Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer of the National Constitution Center, Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen, and Sarah Vacchiano of CivicEQ introduce civic parenting as a longstanding tradition rooted in the nation’s founding and explore what it looks like in practice today. Through personal stories and lived examples, they reflect on how civic identity takes shape over time, often in ways that are informal, unplanned, and deeply embedded in family life. They discuss how the habits of self-government are formed not only in the classroom, but at home—around dinner tables, before bedtime, on national holidays, and in everyday moments. These are the spaces where children begin to learn how to listen, reason, ask questions, and see themselves as part of a larger civic community. Civic parenting does not require expertise in history or government—it starts with curiosity, conversation, and a willingness to learn alongside children. By modeling thoughtful engagement, civil dialogue, and a sense of shared responsibility, parents and caregivers can create the “civic sparks” that invite young people into the American story and help to prepare them for a lifetime of participation in our constitutional democracy.  Resources  * National Constitution Center, Family Learning Resources [https://constitutioncenter.org/education/family]  * National Constitution Center, Civic Quest [https://constitutioncenter.org/civic-quest], a new play-based family learning experience  * Lindsey Cormack, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why it's up to You to Do It), [https://howtoraiseacitizen.com/] (2024)  * Sarah Vacchiano, Civic EQ [https://www.civiceq.org/]  Stay Connected and Learn More  * Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org [podcast@constitutioncenter.org]  * Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr  * Explore the ⁠⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250]  * Explore We the People [https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts] for a deeper dive    * ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ [http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly] to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate   * Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen   * Join us at the museum [https://constitutioncenter.org/museum], attend an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠⁠live program⁠,⁠⁠⁠ [https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs] or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A]  * Support our important work:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate [https://constitutioncenter.org/donate]

Trailer: Civic Parenting

What does it mean to raise citizens in a constitutional democracy? Civic Parenting is a special 10-episode series hosted by Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer of the National Constitution Center, joined by Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen, and Sarah Vacchiano of CivicEQ. Each episode explores how those habits take shape in real life. From reading and storytelling to navigating disagreement, from family routines to community experiences, the series offers practical ways to connect everyday moments to the enduring principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This is a series for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who believes that the work of citizenship begins at home. FollowCivic Parenting in your favorite podcast app and join a national conversation about how we raise the next generation of citizens.