Here we are releasing yet another issue dedicated to our Children, also known as the Leaders of the Future. I Love the way that sounds.
When I was first presented with the opportunity to become I-Fashion Magazines’ Director of Youth Fashions I was more than excited…I was ELATED! I have always loved working with all children because they have the ability to forgive the quickest, laugh the easiest, and love the hardest. When given the opportunity I knew this journey was going to be a perfect fit for me! However, I soon realized that I had to grow some tough skin and make some hard decisions when choosing the children to feature because if I didn’t this months’ issue would be filled with thousands of children who submit daily.
Among those submissions, I realized that 80% of those Children follow me on Social Media, whether it is Facebook, Instagram, and/or Snap Chat. Once it hit me, I immediately checked those pages to make sure I was posting in an appropriate manner.
See these days it’s not just the parents that have an Impact or Influence on Children. Social Media allows them access to Millions and Millions of people around the world. People that are sometimes considered ‘Role Models’. A role model is a person who serves as an example by influencing others. Today’s children are faced with a myriad of both challenges and opportunities so they tend to look up to a variety of people that help shape how they behave in school, relationships, or when making difficult decisions. Children may try to copy the behavior and appearance of celebrities, athletes and entertainers, or characters from books, TV, movies, or video games. Sometimes even parents may want to help their children choose positive role models. I have observed that much of learning that occurs during a child’s development is acquired through their observation and imitation. When asked, most of us would agree that children learn and imitate behaviors of those they admire. Role modeling is one of the most powerful tools to influence the direction of a child’s character, whatever their age
Growing up, I remember one of my Role Models was the Beautiful Tyra Banks. Why? Simply because she was living my dream and she was beautiful. She had such a strong Impact on me to the point where I would go to Photo-shoots and try to imitate her or a pose the way she did. Being a Role Model is not easy because you never know who is watching or looking up to you. Children are influenced in profound ways by how they live their lives and do the “right” things, even when no one else is looking. They are the product of their environment by what it does and does not provide.
Remember that saying “It takes a Village to raise a Child”. So, the next time your little sister or one of your students or anyone child in your life tries to copy your Style, the way you talk and or just want to follow you around, remember they may look up to you.
They have chosen you as their Role Model.
I hope you, the reader, enjoy every page that you turn…
I hope every Smile you see brightens your day just a little more…
And your Heart Grows a little Bigger!
Chanise Sharay
Director of Youth Fashions