photo by:
Kris Hoet 
Young children learn by observing and imitating the adults in their world. From birth, children watch their parents closely, following their every move, studying their expressions, and mimicking their sounds. As babies grow, imitating becomes more complicated. In the kitchen, they may bang on a pot with a wooden spoon while a parent uses a similar pan and spoon to cook. They will try on makeup, pretend to shave, mother a doll, read a book, and write a letter—all in imitation of the adults they love and admire. Children will also imitate our bad habits, such as swearing, smoking cigarettes, or abusing alcohol or other drugs.
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Reprinted with the permission of the Department of Health and Human Services.
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