1. Children Learn What They Live

2. Children Learn What They Live
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

3. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

4. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

5. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

6. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

7. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

8. If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

9. If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and those about them.

10. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

11. Children Learn What They Live
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
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 honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in those around them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
(Law Nolte, D., Harris, R. (1998). Children Learn What They Live. New York: Workman Publishing Co.).

12. For Discussion
What does this poem tell us about the role of the environment in raising children?
What would you say is the main idea of this poem?

13. Law Nolte, D. , Harris, R. (1998). Children Learn What They Live
Law Nolte, D., Harris, R. (1998). Children Learn What They Live. New York: Workman Publishing Co.