Sometime last year, a young girl ran up to me and gave me a bear hug. What she did next was unexpected. This cute 6–year old told me that I'm her role model.

Really!?

I did scream that in my head actually. I never knew until then that this little girl who lives down my street was the one who told her mom to asked me to be her lesson teacher one holiday before the COVID—19 break and I couldn't because of my academic work that year. However, I keep reminiscing about that incident.

Children are inspired by the people they see around them. Consciously or subconsciously, they look up to people like their parents, siblings, teachers, fellow children, favorite celebrity or even cartoon characters— I did have a childhood male friend who wanted to be like Barbie, the mermaid princess. Lol. These people they try to mimick can be classified as role models.

A role model could influence a child positive or negatively since there are in the basic position to make or mar a person. Growing up, my models were either academically bright or smart. I had a particular family friend who always read her book once she returns from lecture, this way, I began to prioritize my studies. When I gained admission into the University, I copied her styles and now I can proudly say that I'm an A grade student in majority of my courses.

In this essay, I will be using my siblings as a case study. They fall between the ages of 15–17 now, but I've lived with them all their lives. As the oldest child in my family, I understand that it is my duty to be their role model. How do I attain this?

A role model unique qualities, such as beliefs, talents and so forth, can greatly influence his or her followers. With this knowledge, I had to learn how to submit totally to my parents. In a bid to make them good siblings, I also had to be a well behaved child and sibling. Earning their respect and obedience depended mainly on how I could imbibe good behaviors and attitudes. Kids learn in many other ways apart from actions.

Our views for life are constructed based on what our minds are exposed to on the Television, classrooms, homes etc. Words have a way of conditioning a person's mind. It would be agreed that advices remind children of the things that are expected of them. Since they are growing into maturity, soon they too will apply these values impacted on them. On my part, I usually sit my siblings down to advise, encourage and guide them.

I have really tried to model right to my younger ones, friends and every other person in general. It could be tough sometimes but I did it anyways and it has yielded so many good results.

Are my strategies effective? To the best of my knowledge, yes. I would not say that I'm perfect, but it is my concern to impact the lives of people mostly kids positively.

Another angel that I am modeling for.

Thank you for reading. I really appreciate your time.

Special thanks to

@steemkids community
@steemkidss

Special mention

@cityy
@felicia115
@jamex66
I'm inviting you to join this great community.