Module Six will explore with teachers the methodology children and adolescents utilize to learn eating and exercise behaviors from others.  We will also investigate how the school community’s actions or influence become an integral part of the social modeling process. 

OBJECTIVES FOR MODULE SIX 

• Define “social modeling”
   

• Identify effects of social modeling within the school community
   

• Identify the affects of social modeling on children and adolescent eating and exercise behaviors in your school community
   

• Identify opportunities to incorporate healthy eating and exercise behaviors into your school environment
   

• Model healthy eating and exercise behaviors that will encourage students to do the same
   

• Recognize and utilize positive community support to promote healthy eating and exercise behaviors
   

• Incorporate health education information into daily lessons to enable students to realize the importance of eating right and maintaining consistent  lifestyle activity

The term “social modeling” is derived from social learning theory which, in short, states that behaviors are learned by simple observation and imitation.1  A child or adolescent is most likely to try new foods if he observes his classmates, parents, and teachers trying new or healthy foods.  Children will be more active as a result of witnessing friends, parents, teachers, and school administrators leading more active lifestyles, riding bikes, walking to school, playing soccer at recess, or playing hopscotch instead of playing video games.

Saint John’s University

College of Saint Benedict

Knowledge Base for Teacher Education

A review of learning theory and classroom application is provided by the College of Saint Benedict at Saint John’s University.

According to Albert Bandura, a leading proponent of social learning theory, individuals learn from others in sequential steps.  The first of these steps is “attention”.  Attention can be increased most efficiently when an individual is well-rested, well-fed, and in good health.2  Another key step in social learning theory is “motivation” or “having some reason for doing it”.  Well-nourished children who are alert, healthy, and well rested are more attentive to classroom lessons.  When peers see other children in their classrooms who benefit from better nutrition and physical activity, they too will begin to adapt by eating better and becoming more active.   In this context, community support and modeling plays a significant role in changing the health behaviors of children.  The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion proposes a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) be adopted in the school.  This program unites families, health care workers, the media, religious organizations, and community organizations that serve children and adolescents and focuses their efforts into a social modeling scenario.3 The CSHP supports the idea that schools should provide services in a critical facility format in which many agencies work together to maintain the well-being of youth.  

Browse the resources in Module Six and note the various methods that can be incorporated to create positive social modeling and community support at your school.  Help promote your school’s wellness policy and improve the health of your students!