Thus A Child Learns by Frederick J. Moffitt

A good quote can do wonders for the psyche. I surround myself with inspirational quotes, sayings, and poems.

In fact, if you are a client you probably have seen my quote-of-the-day calendar on my desk. In an effort to spread some encouragement and compassion behind the confines of my office desk, a few months ago I began to share meaningful quotes and poems outside the entrance to my office in Ramsey.

I realize some of you, though, may not make it to my office so I’m writing this post to send it even further out  – into cyberspace.

This moving piece is called, “Thus a Child Learns” by Frederick J. Moffitt.

I first heard “Thus a Child Learn” from a youtube video featuring the late and great, Dr. Leo Buscaglia, a former speech language pathologist and professor. If you have never heard of Dr. Buscaglia, I implore you to google his name, read one of his books, or better yet – watch one of his dynamic lectures uploaded to youtube.

I was introduced to the teachings of Dr. Buscaglia when reading a book on stuttering, something that interests me greatly being a speech language pathologist who treats many individuals who stutter.

Without further ado, here it is:

Thus A Child Learns

Thus a child learns;
by wiggling skills through his fingers and toes into himself;
by soaking up habits and attitudes of those around him;
by pushing and pulling his own world.

Thus a child learns;
more by trial than error
more through pleasure than pain,
more through experience than suggestion,
more through suggestion than direction.

Thus a child learns;
through affection,
through love,
through patience,
through understanding,
through belonging,
through doing,
through being.

Day by day
the child comes to know a little bit of what you know;
to think that a little bit of what you think;

to understand your understanding.
That which you dream and believe and are
in truth, becomes the child.

As you perceive dully or clearly
as you think fuzzily or sharply;
as you believe foolishly or wisely;
as you dream drably or goldenly;
as you bear false witness or tell the truth–
thus a child learns

Did this piece resonate with you? Which part was your favorite?

To read some more of my favorite inspirational quotes for parents and children, please see:

Inspirational Quotes for Parents

Inspirational Quotes for Children