Children see right through us when our actions don't match our words. They look to parents, grandparents, teachers and other adults as role models. The back-to-school time of year is a good time to remember how influential adults are in the lives of children in regard to healthy behaviors. Parents are a child's primary teachers and role models, yet teachers and school personnel play a key role by modeling healthy behaviors.

A few thoughts on being a healthy role model for school children:

• Do you emphasize to your children the importance of breakfast for each school day?
• Are the food and drinks on your desk the same ones you encourage your students to choose?
• Are classroom party foods healthy & balanced? If not, try a food-group party; it can be creative, fun and tasty!
• Do you celebrate success with non-food rewards? Rewarding behaviors with food teaches children to associate food choices with emotion; instead try offering fun activities or privileges to facilitate a healthy relationship with food.
• Can you encourage nutrition education as a regular component of your child's school day, not an “extra”? See how our curriculum meets required content standards and what teachers say about our lessons.

Parents, you can use these tips to be a healthy role model with your kids at home. Not only does modeling healthy behaviors encourage others around you, but it also instills those healthy habits into your daily routine. Before you know it, it becomes a normal part of your lifestyle.

Share with us how you act as a healthy role model.

Tracy Witmer, R.D.
Territory Manager