When a child makes a mistake or fails to accomplish a certain goal, we must avoid any word or action which indicates that we consider him a failure. 'Too bad that didn't work.' 'I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.' We need to separate the deed from the doer.
Interpretation
Children should be supported in their efforts, regardless of the outcome.
This quote emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement in a child's development, suggesting that when children make mistakes or fail, adults should avoid labeling them as failures. Instead, we should focus on the actions and encourage children to learn from their experiences without feeling defeated or ashamed, fostering a growth mindset that separates their self-worth from their achievements.
In practice
A teacher using this quote in a classroom to encourage students to embrace their mistakes as learning opportunities.
We cannot protect our children from life. Therefore, it is essential to prepare them for it. Feeling sorry for children is one of the most seriously damaging attitudes we can have. It so greatly demonstrates to them and to ourselves that we lack faith in them and their ability to cope with adversities.
A workshop is a way of renting an audience, and making sure you're communicating what you think you're communicating. It's so easy as a young writer to think you're been very clear when in fact you haven't.
In this modern world where activity is stressed almost to the point of mania, quietness as a childhood need is too often overlooked. Yet a child's need for quietness is the same today as it has always been--it may even be greater--for quietness is an essential part of all awareness. In quiet times and sleepy times a child can dwell in thoughts of his own, and in songs and stories of his own.
Early in my teaching days, the kids asked me the meaning of a poem. I replied, 'I don't know any more than you do. I have ideas. What are your ideas?' I realized then that we're all in the same boat. What does anybody know?
If most writers are honest with themselves, this is the difference they want to make: before, they were not noticed; now they are.
Take the time to write. You can do your life's work in half an hour a day.
A liberal education will impart an awareness of the amazing and precious complexity of human relationships. Since those relationships are violated more often out of insensitiveness than out of deliberate intent, whatever increases sensitiveness of perception and understanding humanizes life.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.