Saturday, March 12, 2011

"Children Learn What They Live"

Children Learn What They LiveBy 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.

2 comments:

  1. I find myself often times trying to break down the negative walls that have been built by my students to replace them with positive experiences.
    What do you feel is the hardest wall from the above mentioned list to break down?
    Thank you for sharing this quote and reminding me of this!!! I strive to make a classroom environment that fosters the positive learning and non of the negative learning.
    Amy

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  2. Your quote brings to mind the question of nature vs. nurture. A child's environment can heavily influence a child's learning style, behavior, and personality. An educator once reminded me that we spend a great portion of our day trying to overcome the obstacles of a child's homelife only to send them back into that environment at the end of each day. Creating a healthy, safe and nurturing classroom environment is essential to any potential shift in the life of a student.

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