What Children Learn

  I just wanted to share this poem today.  I'm having one of those burned out mom days, where my brain feels fried.  I read about Tetnus over coffee this morning, but the day was pretty much all kid stuff.  School, library, play, lunch, then co op.  By dinner I think we were all burned out.  And it seems everyone I know has either had a baby last month, or having one this month.  While I am happy, it also hurts. I'm having a tough time keeping things sorted out, in a way, as the holiday approaches.  But since my day was mainly about the kids, it made me think of this poem.

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