Children Learn What They Live

There’s a pediatric clinic we visit in Ipoh, Perak whenever Kellie and I visit her family, and our kids need some medical attention.

A plaque on the wall caught my attention, and after a little Google search, it turned out that the words on the plaque were by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

I’ll reproduce the poem below (the complete version is here).

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.

There’s also a book by Dorothy with the same title, Children Learn What They Live.

I hope I can be the best parent possible for my twin girls, Renice and Renee.

By the way, if you happen to be in Ipoh and need to visit a child specialist clinic, I highly recommend H. M. Wong - this lady doctor knows her stuff, is very friendly and gets along well with children:

Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak H. M. Wong
4 Jalan Leong Sin Nam
30300 Ipoh
Malaysia
Contact tel: 05-2426535

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pm and is filed under Photos for Photos' Sake. Leave a comment.