Children begin learning about life early on from the people who surround them. From the earliest age, youngsters mimic their parents and look to caregivers to guide their development and demonstrate proper behavior.

According to Words Alive, an organization inspiring a commitment to reading for life success, 90 percent of a child’s brain develops by age five. During these first five years, abilities such as motivation, problem solving, communication, and self-regulation are formed. Having the right role models in a child’s life influencing them through these formative years can set a foundation for success.

What is a role model?

A role model is a person whose behaviors are emulated by others, according to Connections Academy by Pearson. When a child has a positive role model, there is a greater likelihood the youngster will engage in constructive behavior that mirrors the person he or she looks up to.

Why are positive role models important?

Adult-child interactions can help shape an individual. The Center of the Developing Child at Harvard University noted that if an adult’s responses toward a child are inappropriate or unreliable, that child’s brain architecture may be disrupted and their emotional health impaired. The opposite is true when children have positive influences in their lives who respond properly to a child’s behavior.

Choosing safe adults

It is vital to surround children with safe adults who can be positive role models. Safe adults are those who model healthy behaviors and actions to set an example for the child.

What are good role model behaviors?

The following are some key characteristics of a positive role model.

Lives a healthy lifestyle that focuses on physical and mental well-being. This is a person who eats healthy meals, lives an active lifestyle and makes good health choices like not smoking or drinking alcohol to excess.

Treats others with respect and practices self-awareness about behaviors. When the role model makes a mistake, he or she owns that mistake and tries to remedy it.

Establishes goals and shows a commitment to values. A good role model is passionate about what they do, has a strong work ethic, and showcases confidence.

Tries to keep a positive attitude and is accepting and supportive of others.

A positive role model also may think about the kinds of people they looked up to when they were younger and the traits those people exhibited. Then those similar traits can be implemented when interacting with children and adults.