The Importance of Setting an Example for Your Children at Home

You probably know the value of educating by example. In this article, we'll talk about the importance of setting an example for your children at home.

You’re probably already aware of the importance of setting an example for your children at home. The family and home environment are fundamental when it comes to children’s development. The examples that little ones are raised with greatly influence the development of their personality, how they relate to others, and how they manage their emotions.

The importance of setting an example for your children at home

As children grow, they internalize a lot of knowledge and learn attitudes and behaviors through learning processes that develop in a formal educational environment at school, as well as through their experiences.

But they don’t only acquire knowledge, skills, and behaviors at school. In fact, they learn in other diverse contexts and from other role models. For example, from their peers, from leisure activities, and most importantly, from their family.

The examples you should set at home

• Firstly, you must prioritize open and permanent communication with all family members.
• Secondly, show your emotions and try to explain them, whether they’re positive or negative.
• Show and demonstrate how to behave in different contexts.
• Develop attitudes of gratitude and solidarity within the family.
• Also, create an environment of peaceful coexistence and harmony.
• Put dialogue and family interaction over other forms of fun and distraction.
• Show kindness, cooperation, and altruism with your social environment.
• Likewise, create the need for order, organization, and family routine as important aspects of emotional stability.
• Assume and fulfill responsibilities in all areas of life and with all people.
• In addition, use appropriate language and vocabulary.
• Know how to handle moments of anger and rage in certain circumstances.
• Encourage the pursuit of personal projects and goals and the perseverance to achieve them.
• Finally, don’t be a hypocrite by saying something and doing another.

Conclusions on setting an example for your children at home

In conclusion, we want to highlight that children grow up imitating the actions of those around them. Thus, you must always be aware of the importance of setting a good example at home. Children are like sponges and have a tendency to copy everything they see and hear.

Their family should be aware that certain role models, both at a communicative and behavioral level, may be harmful to their future development and social skills if they copy them.

These role models are everywhere: school, friends, the media… and the family context isn’t exempt from setting bad examples sometimes. Thus, if you agree that children learn by example, start at home!