Approval facts for kids

Approval means saying 'yes' to something or giving your permission. It's like when your parents approve of you going to a friend's house, or when a teacher approves your project. It shows that something is accepted or considered good.

What Does Approval Mean?

Approval is a common idea you'll find in many parts of life. It's all about agreement, permission, or showing that something is accepted. Think of it as a green light for an idea, a plan, or even a person.

Getting Permission or Saying Yes

When someone gives their approval, it means they agree with something or give permission for it to happen. For example, a school might approve a new club, meaning they allow it to start. Or, a company might approve a new product design, meaning they think it's ready to be made. This kind of approval is a formal way of saying "yes" or "it's okay."

How People Show Approval

People can show approval in many ways. Sometimes it's a simple nod or a smile. Other times, it's a written signature on a document. In groups, approval might be shown by voting or by a group leader making a decision. The way approval is given often depends on how important the decision is.

Approval Ratings: How Popular Are Leaders?

You might hear about "approval ratings" when people talk about politicians or leaders. An approval rating is like a score that shows how many people like or support a leader or a government's actions. It's found by asking many people in a survey, called a poll, if they approve or disapprove.

• How they work: Pollsters ask a group of people if they approve of the job a leader is doing.
• What they show: The results are shown as a percentage. For example, if a leader has a 50% approval rating, it means half the people surveyed support them.
• Why they matter: These ratings can show how popular a leader is. They can also suggest how people might vote in future elections.

Approval Voting: A Different Way to Choose

Approval voting is a special way to vote in an election. Instead of choosing just one person, voters can pick as many candidates as they approve of.

• How it works: You can vote for one candidate, or two, or three, or even more! You just mark everyone you think would do a good job.
• Who wins: The candidate with the most "approvals" wins the election.
• Why it's used: Some people think this system helps choose candidates that more people are happy with, not just the one who got the most first-place votes. It can also help smaller parties get more support.

Approving New Medicines

Before a new medication can be sold to people, it needs official government approval. This is a very important step to make sure the medicine is safe and works well.

• Why it's needed: Governments want to protect people. They make sure that medicines are tested carefully.
• The process: Scientists and doctors do many tests. They check for side effects and if the medicine helps people get better.
• Who approves: Special government groups, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, review all the test results. If everything looks good, they give their official approval. Only then can the medicine be sold in pharmacies.

See also

In Spanish: Aprobación para niños