Share and Share Alike

I have always wondered how children learn to share!  Do we teach them?  Do their friends teach them?  Who, what, when, where, and well...we're thankful for the why!  As I watched my class participate in "I roll the ball to you..." activity, I had my "Ahaaa!" moment.  It came in the form of a poem I grew up seeing, and even more importantly -reading.

Have you heard of the poem, "Children Learn What They Live" by Dr. Dorothy Law Nolte?  If not, here it is!

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.

By now you may be thinking, "duh Briana!" and if you are, great!  I love it!  I think that this poem is a great example of what amazing things we can do for our children by just being us!  We are living, breathing examples to our children and I am reminded of that in simple ways (like sharing!) every single week.

Here's a HUGE thanks to all you parents!  

Musically yours!