GUIDING PRINCIPAL #2 - Children learn by watching and copying others

Children and teenagers learn by watching and copying adults and other people in their community, including classmates and family members.  They try things on for size, gauging other people's reactions, and watching to see what happens next.  Some behaviours are very positive, and some are not. 

Our job as parents and teachers is to encourage positive, productive behaviours, guiding children away from negative words and actions that will lead to increasing difficulties down the road.  This can feel like a troubling, thankless task at times.  Peter Ustinov said, "Parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth." Think back to your childhood and teen years. Did you sometimes dish it out to your parents?

★ Teachers and Parents are role models. Children are watching and learning, and are likely to try their own version of what they see and hear.