LOS ANGELES — Since she was a little girl, Rima Fakih – former Miss U.S.A. – has always asked questions.

"For me, especially as a child, anytime I asked questions – I was a very curious kid – I was told, I was too young to ask. Or I was told, you'll find out later," Fakih said.

It was frustrating growing up, but now, as a mother of three young children, she encourages them to ask questions and speak up.

The beauty queen learned to express her opinions and uses her voice as a platform for change.

"For me, it's important to show my children that their opinions also matter and to get their questions answered by mommy and not from some strangers," she said.

Fakih said this election is the perfect opportunity to teach her kids about expressing their opinions through voting, so she was thrilled to learn about a movement called Bear the Vote.

Two Los Angeles-based moms, Sabaea Carrington Wynter and Lily-May Young, started the movement. It was sparked from their Bear the Truth campaign that encouraged children and families to speak openly and honestly about racism and equality this summer.

As the election approaches, Bear The Vote encourages parents to teach children as young as 2 years old about voting and civic engagement by encouraging them to choose between two candidates, Climate Change Bear and Anti-Bullying Bear.

"Talking to them about things like this in a kind way, using bears and colors, it's a nice way to plant that seed they can one day always voice their opinion, never stand down, never feel that anything is happening without their approval," Fakih said. 

Even though her children are all under the age of 4, Fakih said it builds their confidence to speak out when they get older.

Learning about societal issues early on, made all the difference for Madeline Frey, of Glendale, who is passionate about a greener future.

"You start with reading articles about what you can do at home to be more environmentally friendly, having talks with your parents, having talks with the little community instead of going to the big stuff," the 13-year-old said.

When her mother, Kathy, taught her about health risks caused by air pollution from the Grayson Power Plant – less than a mile from where she goes to school – she rallied for change from city leaders.

"I am part of a generation, which is going to have to clean up this little mess that we have here," Frey said. "I feel like if you are going to get started on something, why not get started as soon as possible?"

Frey's activism led the plant to commit to reducing fossil fuels by the end of 2030.

As for Fakih's children, her oldest daughter, Rima, was drawn to Anti-Bullying Bear. After filling out the ballot, they will drop it in the mail and find out who the winner is after Election Day.

Fakih said even if her teddy bear candidate does not win, the lessons are sticking with her.

"Throughout the day and even sometimes during the week, my daughter will bring up issues concerns bullying, like 'no one argue,' 'be kind to each other,'" Fakih said. "My daughter really feels like she's a leader now. She has a voice. She stands for something."

For more about Bear the Vote or to print a ballot, visit their Instagram page.