An Example, Intended or Otherwise

As a grandparent I have become a better observer of children. The observation that has impressed me the most is how much children are observing those around them. Children appear to be imitating some adults and older children in developing their behavior patterns. It is also apparent that children are good at discerning inconsistency between what is said and what is done.

Of course, none of this is new to any parent or someone who is around children. However, it bears repeating when there is so much concern about healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. Children are sponges. Their eyes and ears don't miss much and they are learning all the time. Perhaps that responsibility can teach us to be better examples.

Children Learn by Monkey See, Monkey Do. Chimps Don't. - New York Times: "humans are hard-wired to learn by imitation"