Children Learn What They Live

by Dorothy Law Nolte

 

If a child lives with criticism. He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility. He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule. He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame. He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance. He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement. He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise. He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness. He learns justice.

If a child lives with security. He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval. He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship.

He learns to find love in the world.

Learning is never limited to a classroom. A child observes and learns continuously. Children learn from interaction and watching the behavior of others. Kids tend to mimick the adults in their lives, and are most influenced by those adults in a parenting role. Scientifically, the fastest development in the brain occurs during the first phase of the absorbent mind stage; birth to three years. At this time, synapses or ‘connections’ between brain cells will grow based on the child’s experiences. These synapses will then serve as a knowledge database the child will access and query at later ages.

It is our goal as parents, caregivers and responsible adults to provide a safe,nurturing and rich learning environment for our children. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. Helping children to become mentally and physically prepared for the challenges to come is our reponsibility as an individual, as a community, and as a society.

Start typing and press Enter to search