As you watch some of the kids on Nickelodeon's "Kids Pick the President" series, you may be quietly astonished. They're not debating the cuteness of Barack Obama, or the coolness of Mike Huckabee's electric bass grooves. They're explaining how they're aligned with Rudy Giuliani's stance on gun control, or Barack Obama's plan to make the troops in Iraq recede. You will hear them use phrases like "tax credit," "solar panels and biofuels," and "single-payer healthcare system."

Wouldn't it be great if your kids were just as informed, and they didn't tune out as election season tunes up? We talked to some experts on the topic of kids and politics; here are their tips on how to get kids interested in Decision 2008, even if they won't be old enough to vote for another presidential election or two.

The journalist: Linda Ellerbee

Through her "Nick News" program on Nickelodeon, the critically lauded newswoman has spent nearly two decades of her career giving kids a voice on current events. The latest production is "Kids Pick the President," a year-long election-awareness campaign that aims to connect politics to kids' lives. It kicked off with "The Kids Primary," and an online primary election where they can cast their own votes. Additional programs will run throughout the year.

• How parents can help: "Over and over on Nickelodeon, I have to keep saying: 'Our job is not to talk to kids; our job is to listen to kids.' When you listen to a kid, you're showing respect. And when you show respect to a kid, you find out that they probably know more than you think they do, and that they have opinions."

Use campaign ads as a learning opportunity: "If you're watching TV with your kids — which is always a good idea — talk to them about what they're seeing:. 'Is this a fair ad? Does that mean, if you don't think this ad is fair, that maybe that candidate isn't fair?' "

• Discussion starters: "Why couldn't a parent say to a kid: 'Who do you think I should vote for?' Let the kid know that it's not a test, and they don't have to agree with you."

The educator: Suzanne Freeman, executive editor, Scholastic News Online

Scholastic is a school resource that teachers can use in classrooms; its Kids Press Corps is a group of students (ages 9-14) who report on the election from their hometowns. Freeman says Scholastic polls show the top issues of concern to kids are: "the environment, global warming, education, and the war in Iraq."

Her tips for sparking interest:

1. Answer questions, but keep it simple. If you don't know the answer, look it up with them.

2. Ask kids questions that might spark their curiosity. "What do you think about the possibility of the first woman president? If you could ask a presidential candidate a question, what would it be?"

3. Find out what they're talking about in class, and figure out how to connect to it.

4. Allow them to get involved. Visit www.scholastic.com and vote in a poll; check out the candidates' Web sites, or blogs written by some of the candidates' kids, such as the Romney brothers (www.fivebrothers.mittromney.com); John McCain's daughter, Meghan (www.mccainblogette.com); and Cate Edwards, at www.blog.johnedwards.com/Cate.

The kid: Valirie Morgan, 14, kid reporter for Scholastic News

Morgan, a freshman at Hillcrest High School in Dallas, is especially interested in news about going green, healthcare and immigration. She got interested in politics through her parents, adding that although her opinions occasionally differ from theirs, they have good conversations about the issues.

What should adults do? "Bring it to our level, come up with some controversial topics, and let us debate. Debating is the most fun way for kids my age to get involved, arguing out their ideas."

What should adults not do? "The only thing I personally wouldn't want is a one-sided interpretation of politics, like if your teacher is just telling you about her ideas. You have to have the whole story."