CHILDREN LEARN WHAT
THEY LIVE
Dorothy Law Nolte
If
a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.
he learns to feel sorry for himself.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with jealousy,
he learns what envy is.
he learns what envy is.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.
he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.
he learns that it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.
he learns about generosity.
If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.
he learns what truth and justice are.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.
Rhonna,
ReplyDeleteI love this poem. The words speak volumes to what parents should know on a daily basis. I think everyone can think of someone who fits into each verse either in a negative or postive manner.
I wanted to thank you for all of your responses to my discussions and blogs. Many times, our minds were working in the same way, having the same opinions. I have also enjoyed your blogs and hearing about your personal experiences. I had no one from my last class in this class but I really enjoyed getting to know you. Hopefully we will be talking in the next class. Take care, and good luck to you. Keep it up!!
This poem was so touching and true. A child may grow up to model what was displayed around their world, whether positive or negative. It is vital that parents set their children up in a positive way; with love, caring hearts, and the feeling of being good enough, etc. This may increase their chances of succeeding in life and may teach them the real meaning of why we are all here in this world in the first place; and that is to love one another and ourselves. And, to treat others in the way that we would like to be treated.
ReplyDeleteDear Rhonna, what an adodrable and touching poem. It is so true that children will learn from and with the models they have. Thank you for your posts and support! I enjoyed reading them! Good luck!
ReplyDelete“You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Hi Rhonda, I just love this poem it is remarkable. When I read it the first thing that came to my mind was the self-fulfilling prophecy. Whatever we foster in our children they will believe it and become it. Thank you for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteThanks