Find In-Person and Online Volunteer Opportunities for Teens: Ideas for Virtual Learners
by Valerie Kirk
How to Be a Good Role Model for Students
byAlyssa Austin
4 min to read
Do you know who your child’s role models are? Role models can be parents, older siblings, neighbors, friends, teachers, counselors, community leaders, celebrities—or really anyone a child admires and looks up to—and finding good role models for students is important for childhood development. Many positive character traits and behaviors need to be observed and experienced to be fully understood. By witnessing these characteristics in role models, children can grow up to be healthy, happy individuals who are respectful and considerate of others.
Why Are Role Models Important?
A role model is a person whose behaviors are learned and emulated by others. The importance of good role models is simple. When a child has a positive role model, they are likely to engage in constructive actions like the person they look up to. Key to their development, children who have positive role models will pick up habits and even perspectives of adults that could last a lifetime.
3 Essential Characteristics of Positive Role Modeling
For teens especially, role models set important examples of how to behave and achieve goals. Here are three essential characteristics of positive role models:
- Lives a Healthy Lifestyle: Setting an example for what a healthy lifestyle looks like is an important aspect of developing a positive physical and mental well-being. Someone that eats healthy meals, lives an active life, and makes healthy choices makes a strong role model.
- Demonstrates Respect and Self-Awareness: Role models who have positive attitudes, are respectful, and demonstrate self-awareness influence the actions and behaviors of the children looking up to them.
- Shows Commitment to Values and Goals: Someone who is steadfast and passionate about what they do and who they want to become can have a profound effect on a child, helping them develop a strong work ethic and confidence.
Where to Find Good Role Models for Students
A good role model for students is often their teacher or parent, but it is not always limited to those individuals. Christy Lamb from Ohio Connections Academy said, “Teachers typically serve as important role models for many students. However, teachers are not the only individuals who are qualified to serve as positive adult influences in a student’s life. An adult role model can also be a coach, counselor, social worker, minister, neighbor, boss, or family friend. It can be anyone who comes into contact with the student on a regular basis and takes an interest in his or her well-being.”
How to Be a Good Role Model for Students
The reality is—anyone can serve as a positive influence and role model for students. In fact, you may already be acting as a role model for someone else in your life without even realizing it!
However, it can be helpful to acknowledge and take ownership of your potential as a role model for students, especially for teenaged students. If you wish to embody more intentional and positive role-model behavior, here are some great steps you can take:
- Encourage students to explore and pursue their passions
- Listen to their opinions and stories without judging
- Provide insight when asked/needed
- Remind them that they are not alone
- Help them explore college and career options
- Teach and model helpful social skills, such as coping skills, self-care, gratitude, and more
- Keep judgment and negativity out of conversations
- Encourage vulnerability and healthy emotional practices
Qualities of Positive Role Models for Students
Another helpful way to become a better positive role model to your kids is to home in on specific qualities that you want to embody and promote as a role model. So, how can you be a role model for young students or teenage students? Here are some qualities of good role models that may help center and guide your journey:
- Accepting
- Ambitious
- Confident
- Committed to self-improvement
- Encouraging
- Goal-oriented
- Hardworking
- Optimistic
- Passionate
- Respectful
- Value-driven
Another great way to become a positive role model for students is to think about the kinds of people you looked up to when you were younger. Why did you look up to them? What about them made you feel like they were someone you could talk to or learn from? Reflect on these qualities and see how you might be able to implement them in your own relationships.
At Connections Academy®, our entire program is built to surround students with role-model teachers and parents who form a collaborative team focused on student success. Learn more about the benefits of an online education and the role parents play in mentoring their students.
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