Dear Teen Stars and role models:
Almost all children know all the popular television actors and singers. Children even as young as 3 years old know who you are. They look up to you. They wear t-shirts with your names and pictures. They carry backpacks with your picture on them. They sing your songs. They download your songs and make up dance routines to each one.
You have a incredible opportunity to influence young children. Please make an intentional effort to be positive role models. Teachers at school constantly encourage and teach children to make good choices. You must make good choices as well because these young children are copying you and doing everything you are doing. They want to sing like you. They want to dance like you. They want to dress like you. They want to eat the foods you eat. They want to visit places you visit. They will even go to the same schools you go to and study the same subjects. You are their idols.
There are two of you who have been in the news most recently that I would like to address.
One of you was given a big opportunity to sing a song and help teach about opposite words on an educational television show targeted to young preschool children. Your television spot was removed and will not be aired because of the clothing choice you made. I ask you: Think. Think what kinds of clothes your target audience would wear. It is obvious that preschool children would not wear that style. As a teacher I suggest you choose age-appropriate material and clothing so as not to distract from your teaching material.
Another one of you continues to have trouble with drugs and alcohol and has recently been on probation and sentenced to jail time. You were so cute in your earlier younger movies. Young children watched you with great laughter. Now, are you making these children laugh? You had good things going for you but through the bad choices, you have messed up your good teaching opportunities.
Another one of you had a popular television show a few years back during your teen years. You were popular on that show and have made guest appearances on current shows as an adult. You have made good choices in your public life and career. It is not popular knowledge that one of your choices was to continue your higher education as far as a PhD degree in neuroscience. That is no easy task and course of study. Congratulations on your high-quality choices. May other young children see the value in following your role model.
There is one more of you that I would like to highlight in this letter. You have a very popular television show. Young children quickly grab your concert tickets. You have done an OK job of maintaining a clean lifestyle. Please remember that young children and preschoolers are looking up to you and following you. Please consider them in every choice you make. Think. Think about those choices and if they will be good choices for younger children to make.
Thank you for reading this open letter to teen models and singers and performers. As long as music and television and movie segments are popular, may we continue to use them as teaching tools — good teaching tools.
Sincerely,
An Early Childhood Teacher and Children’s-Family Minister working to help young children grow into responsible adults with good, solid morals to lead them to live fulfilling lives with Jesus as their best friend and Savior
Follow this advice: Follow the best model ever given — Jesus. He makes the best choices and will help you.
