Monkey see, monkey do! Why you should lead by example...

You can’t escape them; their eyes are watching your every move!

Whether we’re talking on the phone, making their school lunches, driving the car – there they are soaking up everything we say and do.

As parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, teachers and role models, we need to be mindful about the message our actions and words are sending to the children in our care.

Research shows that children who grow up in an active household are much more likely to continue exercising throughout their lifetime.

With Australia’s obesity rate continuing to grow at an alarming rate, regular activity during early childhood not only impacts on immediate health outcomes but also form good foundations for later years.

As role models, we have a wonderful opportunity – and responsibility – to empower children in our care to make healthy choices, and the most effective way that to do that is to lead by example. Monkey see, monkey do!

Put simply, if children see you being physically active, and enjoying yourself in the process, chances are they will want to be active too.

One thing I have learnt while running Livelyhood dance programs is that children love to share the experience with others, especially their role models. Being active together not only ensures a healthy future for your family but also forms a powerful bond that lasts a lifetime.

As the ancient proverb says, ‘Great acts are made up of small deeds’. Don’t push the panic button, just KISS (Keep it Simple Silly!).

This can be as simple as walking to the farmers markets, growing and cooking your own food, going to the park as a family, walking the dog, riding your bikes to the shops, or even putting on some music in the morning to have a dance – every little bit makes a big difference in a child’s life.

The 2004 Australia’s Physical Activity Recommendations for Children suggest that children aged 5-18 years need a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.

Here are some great ideas to get you on your way:

Play sport as a family – kick around a soccer ball after school, play a game of backyard cricket, jump around in the pool, or create an obstacle course
Organise an activity party – schedule a bowling party, take the kids to a climbing wall, or book a dancing or sports party. For ideas, see Livelyhood’s children’s dancing parties – www.livelyhood.com.au/parties
Explore the great outdoors – take a long walk along the beach, visit a National Park, or go to a playground in a nearby suburb
Get the kids involved – ask them to choose an activity for the day or week. Make sure you remain excited and passionate about the activity they choose!
Plan a family disco – every Friday night a friend of mine puts up a disco ball so the whole family can have their own private party. Love this idea!

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Take the first steps today to build a healthier future for our children and us!

Healthy, Active, Happy: That’s the Livelyhood way of Living!

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249 Comments

- - mom19782016 said
  - 23 Mar 2019
    1:22 pm
Man, it is so true isn’t it

- - mom81879 said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    10:21 am
How scarey is it, the ease of how kids pick up things just by seeing or hearing you do it?! You need to be so careful

- - mom93821 said
  - 17 Jan 2016
    7:21 pm
Spot on and we just have to make sure we are modelling the right things in life.

- - mom81879 said
  - 11 Nov 2015
    7:57 am
Something we all need to remember, but unfortunately all too often we forget. Their eyes are always watching and their ears are always listening. Too easy to forget :/

- - dannsbuild said
  - 22 Sep 2015
    10:16 pm
Its very good knowledge to know! Thanks for sharing this article!

- - Threelos said
  - 29 Nov 2014
    3:41 pm
So true! Friday night disco is a very cool idea! We try to get to the park a lot, but it is easy for the days to pass by without you realising.

- - june11 said
  - 15 Oct 2014
    1:41 pm
I wish our 7 year old would understand this. She is teaching her little brother bad habits –and thinks it is funny. We explain to him not to do a thing. I discovered the other day that when our backs are turned she whispers in his ear and tells him to do the things. No wonder he is confused sometimes.

- - mom94125 said
  - 07 Oct 2014
    8:27 pm
yep it is us that model health and fitness for our children
- mom94125 replied
  
  12 Jan 2015 , 5:47 pm
  i love it though. i have put make-up on and turned around to see my daughter copying me lol
- - ginoula5 said
  - 12 Aug 2014
    2:23 pm
Couldn’t agree more, if you do or don’t they will do or not, lead by example for sure.

- - neddie said
  - 09 Aug 2014
    2:06 pm
My children like to come to zumba with me from time to time which is nice.

- - mom61924 said
  - 03 Aug 2014
    11:27 pm
Exactly this, can’t expect your kids to get off their bum & exercise if you don’t

- - hayley91 said
  - 30 Jul 2014
    8:05 pm
Lots of helpful info to lead by example that I will take in account thank you

- - 191joannes said
  - 01 Jul 2014
    10:11 am
so true I have played basketball all my life and been fairly active and my sons both played football basketball cricket swimming and love all sports we give anything a go, then I see friends who never played a sports and there children don’t play sport.
- mom93821 replied
  
  18 Jan 2016 , 6:36 am
  Being active as a family is also quite a lot of fun and good for family bonding.
- - eestigirl said
  - 17 Jun 2014
    8:15 am
Absolutely agree! If you consider how much you influence your children in their activities and attitudes it’s awesome. Be the person you would want them to be. I love the reminder to keep it simple.: )

- - 3timesamum said
  - 16 Jun 2014
    1:34 pm
Totally agree. Kids see everything you do and that becomes their norm. If you’re not exercising or being active, they don’t see it as an enjoyable part of life, just a chore.

- - Dennis12 said
  - 08 Jun 2014
    6:10 pm
Children definitely take more notice of what we do than what we say. They pick up on everything, good and bad. We can tell them to eat healthy for example but if we don’t, they wont

- - no1ladydj said
  - 08 Jun 2014
    12:02 am
Children do tend to learn by example, and it’s pretty difficult to get a child to accept statements like “Don’t smoke”, “Exercise more”, “Eat healthy food” if you’re doing the opposite to what you’re telling them to do.

- - deangunna said
  - 06 Jun 2014
    9:43 pm
I have found that my beautiful children pick up some of the things I do. (THE BAD ONES) The only time I swear tout loud hat week (they hear and repeat) etc. The miss all the good stuff lol.

- - meedee said
  - 06 Jun 2014
    10:54 am
I must admit that Im a very inactive person but it hasnt stopped my kids.
My eldest is trekking through the mountains of Nepal as i type.
Even if your children dont see you doing these things it still works if they know you wish you were physically able or in a position to do these things and as a parent you can back them and tell them that they CAN do these things.

- - sweetbell said
  - 06 Jun 2014
    9:52 am
Great article and something to be mindful about thanks for sharing