Kids Mimic Adults. How? Why?

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will never depart from it. Training kids is not a ”do as I say, not as I do’ moment. Kids literally pick apart all you do, trying to make sense of the actions you take.

My kids laughing at a joke

Kids really mimic adult both their parents and stranger. Currently living with my sister who has four kids, I can confirm the statement that kids display actions they have seen other people display. What most parents don’t know is that kids learn via practical means, it could be from physical actions we put out in front of them, or it could be the cartoon or videos they watch or what they hear.

My 3-year-old nephew after taking his meals would take his plate into the kitchen because he has seen us do it several times after eating.

My sister’s friend's daughter anytime she is hungry would bring her food flask, and plates to her mother indicating that she is hungry because she always saw her mom get those things ready before feeding her.

• It is a mode of communication: Children imitate others because that is their first mode of communication. It is the way they communicate with those around them, thus by imitating what they see others doing, they are trying to convey a message to you.

• They are always curious: Children are always curious, that is why you should careful with the words you use, things you say, how you act. My niece, a smart vibrant girl always asks me questions when I do certain things, she wants to know why I said what I said, why I did what I did, and sometimes after a few hours or days when I might not even remember what I did, she would do exactly what I had done. It shook me one day after an action that she displayed that I realized I have to be very careful around. Everything is new to them and they have the ability to learn things fast, so they have no other option than to learn these things by simply copying what they see others do.

• Seeking for attention: Sometimes kids imitate their parents because that is the only way they can get their attention.

• They are working through their emotions by displaying what they see. Using a violent boy as a case study, who grows up in a violent home of a father who beats up his mother at the slightest action, the boy will assume that it is right to beat up other people when they are angry.

• They use mimics to learn social skills. Children are great observers. They observe how you act at home and in the public, depending on your social skills to learn how to interact with other people. From observing you, they will be able to that you greet people when you meet them and say thank you when you are given something. This way, they will be able to imitate what you do.

• Adults should learn to use the words “thank you”, “please”, “excuse me”, and “I am sorry” more often in their interactions, especially around kids. There is no other way they will learn its effectiveness if you don’t use it. If you also make use of offensive and derogatory words, they will also learn them.

• Apologize when necessary. It is very important for your child to learn the importance of standing up and apologizing for their mistakes. if they don’t realize that they have erred, bring it to their attention and make them apologize so that it won’t repeat itself.

• Display good behavior in their presence. Display those good behaviors so that they would also learn and not only when they are absent before you can do certain things. Read if you have to, dance, wash, mop, and let them see you doing them. Don’t think they can’t handle them; you are only shielding them from learning.

• Avoid displaying violence in front of a child. It affects them emotionally and mentally and sends a message to the child that it is right to also do the same to other kids. Also avoid resorting to violence to train your child, as most authoritarian parents do. These kids will believe that violence is the way to listen and the answer to all things.

• Put your child to tasks around the house. This helps them feel responsible, confident to handle other things, and independent. By allowing them to help with chores around the house, you are also developing them socially and mentally. Teaching them not to feel bad at failure also grooms them for the future.

• Don’t smoke around kids.

We should be careful of our actions because kids grab things fast, and once they do, you can’t take back what has already been imprinted in their memory.