3.

Being a Positive Role Model

Young children copy what others say and do. Parents and other
adults can learn to be positive role models by handling difficult
situations with resilience.

When you stay calm and flexible in dealing with life’s

challenges, you are teaching your children positive ways to
handle stress.

Tips for being a positive role model

• Take care of your health. Show children that it is
important to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep and
exercise regularly. Healthy living reduces everyday stress and gives us mental and physical
strength to deal with serious challenges.
˒ ǢÌŸɠȖŘ_sNjǣǼŘ_ÞضʰOŸŎƼǣǣÞŸŘŘ_ĨÞŘ_Řsǣǣʳ Imagine what it is like to walk in other people’s
shoes.
˒ ǻĨsǼÌNjss_ssƼENjsǼÌǣɠÌsŘɴŸȖ˅NjsǣǼNjsǣǣs_ʳBreathe in slowly to the count of three and then
breathe out slowly to the count of three. Repeat three times to relax your body and get control of
your emotions. Teach your children how to use breathing to calm themselves.
• Be in charge of your emotions. It is OK to have all kinds of feelings. It is healthy to express them
in constructive ways.
˒ DsƼǼÞsŘǼŘ_ƼsNjǣÞǣǼsŘǼʳ Keep on trying even when things are frustrating. Show patience with
your children when they are trying.
˒ ĵsǼ¶ŸŸ¯EsÞضƼsNj¯sOǼʳRemember mistakes are just part of learning.
˒ ǢǼŸƼŘ_Njs˚ǼÌÞŘĨʳWhen things go wrong, try not to jump to conclusions. Ask yourself: “How else
can I think about this?”, “What parts can I control?”, “What else can I do?”. Take a moment before
you respond.
˒ ǻĨsNjsǣƼŸŘǣÞEÞĶÞǼɴ¯ŸNjɴŸȖNjŸɠŘ¯ssĶÞضǣŘ_OǼÞŸŘǣ in front of your children: “Oops, I just
made a mistake on this, but I can make up for it by doing…” or “I’m sorry I yelled at you. Next
time, I’m going to stop and calm down before I speak.”
• Use humour. It reduces stress and helps us look at challenging situations with a positive outlook.
˒ ǢǼɴƼŸǣÞǼÞɚsʳEnjoy simple pleasures. Look for the upside to challenges. This encourages us to
keep trying. It also helps us learn from these experiences.
˒ NJsOÌŸȖǼ¯ŸNjǣȖƼƼŸNjǼʳEveryone needs help sometimes.
˒ NJsOÌŸȖǼǼŸǣȖƼƼŸNjǼŸǼÌsNjǣ who are going through difficult times.
 Role Modelling for Resilience

When Kids
parents... Learn to...

• Feel loved • Have a sense

SHOW AFFECTION & ATTENTION & connected of worth

• Feel understood
LISTEN/UNDERSTAND • Understand others
& accepted

• Handle stressful
STAY CALM • Calm themselves
situations

This chart was reproduced with permission of the copyright holders. © Copyright 2012 The Child and Family Partnership
SHOW PATIENCE • Wait • Develop patience

• Be creative
STOP & RE-THINK • Stop and think
problem-solvers

• Appreciate the • Be hopeful

SHOW POSITIVE OUTLOOK
positives in life (optimistic)

• See mistakes as
VIEW MISTAKES as OK • Try new things
part of learning

KEEP TRYING • Keep trying • Achieve goals

• See their own

SEE STRENGTHS • Feel confidence
strengths

• Be responsible
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY & BE INVOLVED • Feel they belong
& involved

This document has been adapted and produced with permission

ɠɠɠʳɴȖĨŸŘɠsĶĶŘsǣǣʳO by the Best Start Resource Centre, Ontario 2014 ɠɠɠʳEsǣǼǣǼNjǼʳŸNj¶