I was teaching the word "continuous" today.  Con = coming together.  Tin = time.  ous = state of being.  Happening over and over again.  As an example, I said, "If you are told time and time again that you are great, you begin to believe it.  However, if you are told continuously that you are stupid or not worth anything, you begin to believe that, too."

My heart broke when I heard half a dozen of my brightest and best tell me that their parents and teachers call them "idiots", "stupid", and "useless."  They were saying it in that half-laugh that let's you know they hope that what they've been told isn't true, but they've heard it so often, they've learned to shrug it off - almost.

When I got home, I looked up and to the right of my computer - to the cork board there - to the old laminated newspaper clipping my mother gave me my first year of teaching.  Since it's anonymous, I am taking the privilege of posting it here:

Children Learn What They Live


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 tolerance,
     He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
     He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
     He learns to appreciate.


If a child lives with fairness,
     He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
     He learns faith.
If a child lives with approval,
     He learns to like himself.


If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
     He learns to find love in the world.

          Author Unknown