If a child lives with criticism
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
He learns to fight.
Palestinian Arab boys training for Jihad (Holy War)
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.
Will shaming this girl for being overweight
really help her? I think not.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
"I'm okay. You're okay. We're all okay."
If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.
Two young boys, one Arab, and one Jew,
practice soccer together in Jerusalem, Israel.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
And baby makes three.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.
Acceptance of others is part of learning.
In celebration of Christmas in July,
here is a special song that I think captures
the spirit of this post:
"My Grown Up Christmas List"
Amy Grant
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte
Originally written in 1954
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