Walk the Walk

Young children need positive role models in their lives so that they grow up making healthy decisions. The articles below can help parents recognize and practice positive role modeling to instill and encourage healthy child behavior.

Appreciating Cultural Differences
Children see and interact with people of different races or ethnic backgrounds every day—around the neighborhood, while grocery shopping, at school, or in the media. Research shows that children as young as 3 identify gender and ethnic differences.

Children and Honesty
Make it easy for children to tell the truth and they'll be less likely to lie. At the age of 4 or 5, children understand the difference between truth and lies. Sometimes they want so much to please you that they have a hard time admitting to a mistake or accident. Try the following ideas from the Parent Center, "The Honest Child: How To Teach Honesty," to set the scene for truthfulness in your home.

The New Three Rs: Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce
We all know about Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic to help our children learn in school. But, the new Three Rs are just as important-Recycle, Reuse, and Reduce-to help our children learn to take care of the environment.

Family Fitness
Preparing healthy meals and snacks and watching portion size are two steps toward preventing childhood obesity. The next important step is staying fit through physical activity.

Trying New Foods Together
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF) recommends that we eat more fruits and vegetables, choosing at least a cup of fruit a day and a variety of vegetables-dark, green, and leafy vegetables; orange vegetables; beans; and peas.

Tips on Role Modeling
Young children learn by observing and imitating the adults in their world. Studies show that children who have strong, loving role models in the early years grow into strong, successful adults.