Emergencia SOS: DANA Valencia

The family plays a crucial role in the development of children, who learn not only through direct experience but also by observing the actions of others and their consequences.

From an early age, children develop their understanding of the world by watching the behavior of the people around them. In most cases, the family has a significant influence in this process. Known as vicarious learning, this is a form of knowledge acquisition based on imitation—children learn behaviors and skills by observing others.

Psychologist Albert Bandura was one of the first to describe how vicarious learning shapes human behavior, especially during childhood. According to his research, we don’t learn solely through direct experience, but also by watching the actions of others—and the outcomes of those actions.

That’s why we highlight the importance of the family as a strong foundation for setting an example and educating children. Because harmful habits can also be passed on—often unintentionally—every word, every gesture, every way of handling a problem or facing a challenge becomes a lesson.

Healthy role models in everyday life

Being a positive role model doesn't mean being perfect. It means being aware that our behavior directly influences children’s development. For example, an adult who handles stress calmly, shows empathy toward others, or takes care of the environment is teaching far more than words ever could.

But how can we become healthy role models, especially when raising children through difficult situations? Here are five practical ways to do it in daily life:

• Resolve conflicts respectfully. Without yelling or violence. When disagreements arise, instead of raising your voice or imposing your opinion, make eye contact, nod, and really listen to the other person. Then share your perspective calmly and without blame. Work together to find a middle ground.

• Express emotions appropriately. Rather than repressing feelings like anger or fear, say what you’re feeling out loud. Also validate your child’s emotions. This teaches them that all emotions are valid and gives them the emotional vocabulary to recognize and express them.

• Show empathy and solidarity. Make a habit of checking in on how others are feeling. When children see you giving your time and attention without expecting something in return, they absorb the idea that the world gets better when we help each other.

• Take care of the environment. Encourage household habits like properly sorting waste, reusing containers for food, or turning off the tap while brushing teeth.

• Maintain healthy habits at home. Involve your children in planning the weekly menu, teach them how to share household chores, and establish regular routines like bedtime, screen-free moments, or reading a story together.

Strategies for being a positive role model

It’s natural to want to do things right, but it’s also important to remember that we don’t need to be perfect—just consistent and human. Even mistakes in parenting can become valuable learning moments if we handle them constructively. Here are a few tips that may help:

• Practice self-awareness and take time to reflect on how you respond to different situations.

• Show vulnerability and admit mistakes in front of your children.

• Align your words with your actions. If you talk about respecting others but behave intolerantly, it sends mixed messages.

• Celebrate small victories—both your own and your child’s. This builds healthy self-esteem and motivates continued growth.

• Take care of yourself, because parenting also means showing that self-care matters: getting rest, asking for help when needed, and setting healthy boundaries.

Childhood is a critical stage in shaping identity and how we see the world. When children grow up in environments where empathy, respect, and responsibility are part of daily life, they’re more likely to internalize these values and carry them into adulthood. Through positive role modeling, families have the opportunity to instill attitudes that will be essential in the future: conflict resolution skills, strong self-esteem, and healthy relationships.