I sat in a meeting with an OFSTED colleague this morning and afterwards reflected on that wonderful piece 'A Child Learns What They Live' by Dorothy Law Nolte.
This is my revised version for everyone feeling criticised, unloved and uncared for today...
We Learn What We Live
(With apologies to Dorothy Law Nolte)
If colleagues live with criticism,
If colleagues live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.
If colleagues live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If colleagues live with ridicule,
they learn to be shy.
If colleagues live with shame,
they learn to feel guilty.
If colleagues live with tolerance,
they learn to be patient.
If colleagues live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.
If colleagues live with praise,
they learn to appreciate.
If colleagues live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If colleagues live with security,
they learn to have faith.
If colleagues live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.
If colleagues live with acceptance, and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world.
I think OFSTED should reflect on those words of wisdom and recognise that they apply equally to little learners, big learners, children, parents and carers. We have some inspiring learning places where children achieve brilliant outcomes as well as learning tolerance, fairness, respect, and friendship. We need to build places where all children are accepted, encouraged and praised and where little learners, big learners, children, parents and carers achieve and feel secure and valued. In a world where criticism is easy the question should be how do we create more?
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