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If A Child
by
Dorothy Lawe Holt
If a Child If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
But
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with recognition,
he learns it is good to have a goal.
If a child lives with honesty,
he learns what truth is.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and those about him.
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live, to love and be loved.
(Note: this classic poem was written prior to the advent of "gender neutral" language)