Children Learn What They Live
A few days ago I was reminded of the poem, Children Learn What They Live.
Way back in the dark ages when I was a young tyke, my mom had this poem on my bedroom wall. It was a piece of paper glued to stained wood, covered in laminate. It had very 70s-ish illustrations, and I can remember reading the poem while curling my bangs and spraying them straight up before teasing them into a nice 1980s arch.
Oh, yes. The higher the bangs, the closer to God.
But to the point at hand… I’m grateful I knew this poem from a young age and admire my mom, an educator, for believing in this philosophy enough to introduce it.
Now, in a flashback from 1972, I give you… wisdom in the form of poetry:
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
All strength and courage to you as you explore your own parenting journey!
This post was originally published March 8, 2013 and is being recycled as part of the “I’ve Been Around” summer! Hope you enjoyed it and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!