How To Ensure Your Child Has Positive Role Models

1. How To Ensure Your Child Has Positive Role Models The Social Learning Theory of Alfred Bandura posits that people learn from each other through observation, imitation, and role modeling. Role modeling is one of the most powerful tools we parents can use to transfer good manners and the proper values to our children. A role model is someone who influences and helps shape our child’s behavior and decisions in relating to others. Role models are all around us – some positive, some negative. The child’s first role model is the parent or caregiver. As their world extends beyond the home, teachers and other persons in the community become role models as well. Celebrities on television exert a great influence on the young too. How do we ensure that our child has positive role models? 1. “Walk your talk”. What we say should match what we do consistently. If our words and actions do not jive, our child usually follows what we do, instead of what we say. It is true that actions speak louder than words. The younger the child, the more powerful this is.

2. 2. Tell stories about your own heroes and role models while growing up.Children enjoy storytelling time with mother, father or grandparents. Schedule this special time with your children regularly. It is a pleasant way of imparting important lessons and values to them. 3. Get to know who your child’s heroes are. Help your child define what he admires in his hero or role model. Point out others in the community who possess similar traits. However, no one is perfect. Some of your child’s heroes may have made mistakes. Make it clear that violence, drug abuse, inappropriate sexual behavior, and gender or racial stereotyping are harmful and unacceptable. 4. Encourage your child to participate in activities that reinforce positive values. Sports or religious activities provide the child opportunities to practice these values in real situations. Practice makes perfect and deepens understanding. Friso,47 Scotts Road, #03-01/ 02, Goldbell Towers, Singapore228233 Contact No:+65 64198484 Mail Id: contactus@friso.com.sg