Monkey see....Monkey acts!!

Nothing is so infectious as example. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Who is your role model? Mahatma Gandhi? Mother Teresa? Oprah Winfrey? Gloria Steinem? Who are your child's role models? You? Yes. A recent online survey revealed that nearly half of the young women respondents looked to their mothers as their role model. In another survey, 46 percent of teens said their role model is a family member, not a pop icon or sports star. Whether you know it or not, or whether you like it or not, you are a role model.

Modelling is something I find myself doing more and more in my work with children and adults. I personally think that children need role models to become emotionally mature and culturally enriched human beings. Having a strong role model gives a child a sense of security and comfort that her life has purpose, which keeps children away from risky behaviour when they grow up to be a teen. Having a good role models significantly influence children's futures, and they keep them on the path to success. I think in Singapore we lack of good role models, I am seeing a growing number of adults not being responsible for their actions and this is sad. I think it is time for the adults to wake up. So, take it to heart. Your values, opinions, and example carry more weight with children than you might have thought.