23

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute

By Tami Silverman
President and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute
July 23, 2026

This month’s events celebrating 250 years of American history remind us of our duty to prepare children for the nation’s future. That duty falls not just on families. Educators, mentors, coaches, youth workers, faith and civic leaders, and community organizations share it, too. As our nation marks 250 years of independence, we can model a patriotism that is hopeful, thoughtful, and rooted in service.

The American Psychological Association calls this constructive patriotism, a healthy attachment to one’s country paired with a desire to strengthen it. It does not demand agreement. Instead, it asks for belonging, responsibility, civic participation, and thoughtful engagement. Research shows that a positive connection to one’s country, grounded in belonging, fosters social connection, purpose, and life satisfaction.

This distinction matters for those who work with young people. We help young people build the character, skills, and relationships they need to contribute to their communities, not shape political opinions.

Five habits build constructive patriotism, and youth workers, educators, mentors, coaches, and community leaders cultivate them every day.

1. Belonging. Young people who feel connected to their schools, neighborhoods, and communities believe they have a meaningful place in them. That belonging becomes the foundation for civic responsibility.

2. Character. Integrity, honesty, compassion, and responsibility are its building blocks. Communities flourish when young people learn that freedom and responsibility grow together.

3. Service. Whether helping a neighbor, volunteering through a local organization, or participating in a community improvement project, service teaches children that they can make a difference long before they are old enough to vote.

5. Curiosity. We strengthen healthy citizenship by facilitating and asking questions, learning history honestly, listening to differing perspectives, and remaining open to new understanding. Young people should never feel that asking thoughtful questions diminishes their love of country. In fact, curiosity strengthens it.
6. Respectful dialogue. Democracy requires people who can disagree without disrespecting one another. Learning to listen, seek understanding, and work across differences begins long before adulthood.

Harvard educator Danielle Allen suggests inviting young people to ask questions such as:

• What do you love about your community and country?
• How could you help make them even better?

Those questions spark curiosity and conversation. They remind us that citizenship is something we practice, not something confined to our history books.

Everyday experiences build constructive patriotism. Young people develop it when they feel belonging, build character, serve others, stay curious about history and differing views, and learn to engage in respectful dialogue. These are life skills. They strengthen neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and democracy itself.

Examples surround us already. A middle schooler organizing a neighborhood cleanup learns responsibility. A high schooler serving meals or mentoring younger children discovers that one person’s actions can improve a community. Students on a youth advisory council, in a service-learning project, or in a respectful classroom discussion, learn that citizenship demands action, not just attention.

These experiences teach young people that patriotism shows up not only in celebration but in contribution. We should calibrate these lessons to fit each child’s stage of development.

For Elementary School Children

• Create opportunities for children to experience belonging through neighborhood traditions, community celebrations, and local history.
• Introduce simple service projects that help children understand everyone can contribute.
• Model kindness, responsibility, and respect so children connect love of community with everyday actions.

For Middle Schoolers

• Encourage thoughtful questions about fairness, responsibility, and community.
• Help students connect local issues with practical opportunities to serve and lead.
• Create safe spaces where differing viewpoints can be discussed respectfully, and curiosity is welcomed.

For Youth in High School

• Invite young people into authentic leadership through volunteerism, service-learning, internships, and youth advisory councils.
• Help students understand that informed citizenship requires listening, learning, and constructive dialogue.
• Challenge adolescents to see civic responsibility as a lifelong commitment rather than a single event such as voting.

These everyday investments will keep shaping our communities long after this year’s anniversary fades.

Those of us who work with children and youth have a rare privilege. We can help them build knowledge about their country and the character to question it and strengthen it. If we want thriving communities, engaged citizens, and respectful dialogue in our future, the work starts now, with the adults who invest in children today. That may be the most enduring expression of patriotism we can offer.

Tami Silverman is the president and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute, a statewide nonprofit with a mission to improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities that are focused on kids and youth. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Indiana Citizen or any other affiliated organization.