Following Costa Rica’s national elections on Sunday, February 1, civic life found its way into an unexpected and joyful setting. At Elif Academy, the daycare of Las Catalinas, children took part in their own Election Day, learning early that participation, listening, and choice are part of a democratic culture.
In Costa Rica, each voter goes to the polls to cast an individual vote for president and for members of congress. Every vote is counted separately for each candidate and party, reinforcing a system where participation is personal, confidential, and deeply respected. This individual nature of voting is one of the foundations of Costa Rica’s democratic tradition, and while voting is reserved for citizens aged 18 and older who are registered to vote, every person who cast a ballot was once a child.
Because of this, teaching civic values from an early age matters. Living in a democracy like Costa Rica’s is a privilege, and voting is understood as both a right and a responsibility. That lesson is one Elif Academy takes seriously, as they celebrated their own Election Day, inviting students to take part in a mock voting process designed especially for them. The goal went far beyond casting a vote. As Elif Academy shared on Instagram: "Our elections today are not just about voting. They are about listening, expressing ideas, respecting other opinions, and understanding that you don’t always win, but you always learn"
Through dialogue, the children practiced empathy, patience, and collaboration. They learned that their voices matter, and that working together is key to building agreements and helping others. It was a thoughtful and joyful way to introduce the values that sustain a healthy democracy.
Civic culture is not formed overnight. It is shaped through everyday experiences like this one, where children are invited to participate, to listen, and to understand that democracy is something you practice long before you are old enough to vote.
We’re proud of Elif Academy for sharing this important lesson: that making an impact in the world around us begins by standing up for what we believe in, which in this case takes the simple and meaningful form of casting a vote.