Mirror, Mirror: How Our Actions Shape Our Children?

Photo by Picsea on Unsplash

As an educator, I have witnessed parents coming to me with concerns regarding their child’s habits and behavior. It's a familiar tale: “My child doesn’t like reading,” or “They’re always glued to their phone. ” Such concerns are genuine but are also constructive.

I recently stumbled upon a quote on a calendar that struck a chord with me:

Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.

It does make one stop and reflect on the kind of example we set as parents for our children when it comes to the choices that we ourselves make. ”Are we setting the right example? Are we propagating a love for learning and curiosity? These are not questions intended to accuse but to self-reflect.

Kids are little sponges; they soak up everything in their environment. Through observation, they pick on what we do, how we do it, and even what we believe in. They mimic our actions because, to them, we are their initial and most important reference group. Now having been an active participant in early childhood education, I can attest to the fact that actions do have consequences. It is not just a matter of informing them; it is a matter of example through our practice.

It is important that as parents/educators, let’s remember and be more responsible for our actions and decisions. Let us read with them, talk to them and help inculcate the habit of exploration and discovery within them. Why can we not be the kind of people we want our kids to grow into?

Parenting is a lifelong process of learning and development. Let’s put an end to the cycle of disappointments and complaining and be the people our children need us to be. As we all travel the road to parenthood, let us strive to pass on the right message and be good role models for our children to emulate.