I recently attended an educational meeting and the presenter spoke shared this poem with all the attendees. I have read this poem many times and when I was a classroom teacher I always had it on my desk as a reminder of how important my role was as a teacher. Today as I read this I am still an educator but most importantly I am a parent. I read this poem with such a different perspective. I share this poem with all of you to keep as a reminder of how special our roles are as parents and as educators.
Children Learn What They Live… by Dorothy Law Nolte
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.
What do you take away from this poem?