Children Learn What They Live

Children Learn What They Live - a revisit

This poem has been around for many years now. As a little girl, I remember it being framed in my bedroom.



Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.


If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Lets see...what are children learning today, that will prepare them to be the adults of tomorrow?

A Prayer for Today
God....grant me the patience, and tolerance so that I am able to take what goes on in class each passing day. Help me find my sense of humour back, so that I will be able to accept the jokes, and playfulness, and not have to heave sighs of despair...
Make me focused, so that in turn, my kids in class can focus, and give me the wisdom (that does not come with white hair). Please help me learn to smile again...so that I do not come across as grouchy and irritable.

And oh...please help the AVA not detect any melamine in my favourite pack of chocolates...for they help me keep sane.