From the time a child is born, he/she begins to learn about and discover the environment around him/her. You will probably notice you children imitating things, people, and situations around them from a very young age. In this way, your child grows and develops, learning new skills, how to behave, how to care for themselves, and how to communicate with those around them.

If you watch closely, you will notice that from your child's earliest moments, he watches you closely and patterns his own beliefs and behavior according to yours. The examples that you set for your children become ingrained in their memories and help to shape their personalities. Since children learn most from those who spend the most amount of time with them, especially when they are very young, you will want to closely monitor who you allow them to spend time with also.

Knowing that you are your child's best, most important, and earliest role model, it is imperative that you be responsible, loving, and consistent with your child. And because your child also watches closely how you interact with others, this same behavior should be evident in other relationships in your life, such as with your spouse, parents, other family members, and your friends, who also a part in your child's life.

Communicating openly and honestly with those in your life teaches your child to do the same. If you make a mistake, be sure to acknowledge it and make corrections if possible. In this way, your child learns that if he makes the occasional mistake, the responsible thing to do is to own up to it and make amends.

You should also set a good example for your child by taking good care of yourself. It is extremely easy to get caught up in the whirlwind activities of each day and to neglect yourself, because you are focusing on what is best for your children and family. However, you should remember that your family needs you both physically and emotionally, so it is important for you to remain healthy. In this way, your child learns that it is important to care for both himself as well as his family. They also learn how to acknowledge the fact that you are an individual with needs, concerns, and feelings, not just their parent.

Another important area in which you are your child's best role model is in how you communicate and respond in your relationships. It is important for your child to see you interacting in a loving and caring manner with your spouse, and to see the two of you expressing affection for each other. In this way, your child learns how to pattern his own relationships and marriage.

It is important to remember that your child is watching everything that you do, so you should make every effort to be the positive role model he needs.