How Change Happens
The Power of Children
Intra-family influence works in two directions, because children can change their family’s habits and purchasing decisions, just as parents obviously guide their children. In fact, studies indicate that children influence up to 50% of a family’s grocery purchases. For-profit marketers fully exploit this relationship, spending $15-17 billion advertising to children, who are estimated to influence parental purchases of up to $670 billion per year.[iv]
In addition, a recent pilot program educating young children on the importance and characteristics of a healthy lifestyle showed significant positive impacts on parents. Empowering children with science-based health information empowered their entire families.
Finally, the influence of children to change ingrained and persistent habits has been demonstrated through the successes of the seatbelt campaigns and stop smoking efforts of previous decades. In fact, the latest public service campaign out of the United Kingdom features young children asking their parents to quit smoking.
In addition, a recent pilot program educating young children on the importance and characteristics of a healthy lifestyle showed significant positive impacts on parents. Empowering children with science-based health information empowered their entire families.
Finally, the influence of children to change ingrained and persistent habits has been demonstrated through the successes of the seatbelt campaigns and stop smoking efforts of previous decades. In fact, the latest public service campaign out of the United Kingdom features young children asking their parents to quit smoking.
Parent Engagement
Parent engagement is recognized as one of the largest contributors to success in school. Regardless of socio-economic status, educational attainment or any other factor, positive parental engagement improves student achievement.[i] While parental involvement declines naturally as children grow into adolescents, the effect of early, positive influence persists to adulthood.[ii]
Many parents of preschoolers are learning along with their children, making parent materials and inclusive activities critical components of any high-quality early childhood curriculum. This coordinated approach has also shown great efficacy in health promotion efforts. Aligned, multifaceted initiatives are the most effective way to support children and families, both in terms of school readiness and in the development of positive long-term health behaviors.[iii]
Many parents of preschoolers are learning along with their children, making parent materials and inclusive activities critical components of any high-quality early childhood curriculum. This coordinated approach has also shown great efficacy in health promotion efforts. Aligned, multifaceted initiatives are the most effective way to support children and families, both in terms of school readiness and in the development of positive long-term health behaviors.[iii]
[i] Meidel Barnard, Wendy, “Parent Involvement in Elementary School and Educational Attainment,” Children and Youth Services Review 01/2004.
[ii] Diana T Slaughter-Defoe, “Commentary on the Chicago School-Based Research of Arthur Reynolds and Colleagues,” Journal of School Psychology, Volume 37, Issue 4, Winter 1999, Pages 465-470.
[iii] “The Preschool Initiative: Building a Healthy Foundation For Life.” The Food Trust, 2010.
[iv] Shah, Anup. “Children as Consumers,” Global Issues. 21 November 2010. Web 30 Jul. 2014. http://www.globalissues.org/article/237/children-as-consumers
[ii] Diana T Slaughter-Defoe, “Commentary on the Chicago School-Based Research of Arthur Reynolds and Colleagues,” Journal of School Psychology, Volume 37, Issue 4, Winter 1999, Pages 465-470.
[iii] “The Preschool Initiative: Building a Healthy Foundation For Life.” The Food Trust, 2010.
[iv] Shah, Anup. “Children as Consumers,” Global Issues. 21 November 2010. Web 30 Jul. 2014. http://www.globalissues.org/article/237/children-as-consumers
