Children Learn What They Live

By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.



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.

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

If children live with
recognition, they learn it
is good to have a goal.

If children live with
sharing, they learn
generosity.

If children live with
honesty, they learn
truthfulness.

If children live with
fairness, they learn
justice.

If children live with
kindness and
consideration, they
learn respect.

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

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