We are the Influence
We as adults have a direct influence on the children around us. They look up to those superior to them for guidance and whether we notice it or not they pay close attention to our actions and follow along. Children notice everything, from one’s behavior, diet, or action and that is where they learn from. Parents are the biggest influence in the children’s lives, more than they realize. Parents need to utilize their influence on their children to prime them into making healthier choices for their well being.
How can an adult prime a child to make better decisions?
Simple. According to Wansink, Shimizu, and Camps (2011), priming children with fictional characters that they admire will activate their effective knowledge structure, in this case about making a healthy food choice. This is a strategy that parents can use on their children in order for them to make a better decision whether it is behavior or health wise. Just by priming them with a character/(s) they truly admire influences them to make a better choice. So it first starts with the parent setting a good example by making healthier food choices or behaving properly in front of their children and also uses the strategy of priming by asking what their favorite character would do first and then you will see the effect!