Credit: This photograph is from
Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Teaching by
Modeling
Kids never stop imitating important people. Even
adolescents will often adopt attitudes and act like significant adults in their lives.
This process is called modeling or simply, learning
by example.
Modeling is an important way for people to learn about their environment. Kids learn
many skills by watching other people-- including social skills like being friendly, taking
turns, listening to the leader, and acting appropriately.
This powerful process of modeling has many implications. Adults can influence behaviors
of kids simply by being an example. When kids watch how you handle stressful events
successfully, they are learning what works and what doesn’t. You as a leader can help
kids develop and learn how to behave simply by watching the way you behave.
Significant Adults
Credit: This photograph
is from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Kids do not imitate all adults. Kids are
much more likely to imitate adults whom they admire, respect, have a good relationship
with, or are important to the young person in some way. Kids will imitate adults who show
the young person they care about him or her, give attention to him or her, and act fairly
toward the young person. By maintaining a good relationship with the kids in your group,
you are much more likely to be a positive influence in shaping their behaviors. This is
not to say that leaders must give in to acting up or rule breaking so the leader will feel
like their "buddy". Kids will actually respect and follow a leader more who
provides them with structure and consistency in the group. Kids want structure and
authority in their lives, and respond well to appropriate amounts of direction.
Observed Consequences
Credit: This photograph
is from Corel Print Office, 1998, Corel Corporation.
Kids also learn by observing what happens
to others for certain behaviors. If the kid sees that other kids can get away with acting
up, they are more likely to imitate. If, however, they know that every time a group member
misbehaves they endure the consequences, then the kids will try to avoid getting in
trouble, too. By being consistent with rules and consequences, not only will the offending
young person learn, but the whole group will also learn what is expected of them. The
whole group will be watching to see how you respond to each kid.
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Discussion
Questions
| Think
about the conditions necessary to influence
kids. How might these apply to youth group
leaders? What can a leader do to ensure
good modeling. How might modeling apply
to behavior problems? |
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Although managing groups of kids effectively can be challenging, it is worth the
effort. Leaders who adopt the principles presented in this lesson find that the group runs
more smoothly. These groups are more productive and have fewer disruptions. Everyone,
leaders and kids, enjoys being a part of the group more as a result.
Click here to return to "How to Minimize
Difficult Behaviors and Optimize Learning."
Resources
Bee, H. L. (1998). Lifespan Development. 2nd ed.
Longman: New York.
Miller, P. H. (1993). Theories of Developmental Psychology. 3rd ed.
W.H. Freeman and Co.: New York.
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