By Alvin Alexander. Last updated: February 26, 2018
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
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 encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.
If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.
With what is your child living?
~part of a "Children Learn What They Live" poem by Dorothy Law Nolte
