James Baldwin Quotes

Attitudes about the rearing and education of children vary between two extremes. One, which might be labeled “authoritarian” or “coercive,” rests on an assumption that children are by nature irresponsible and lazy, and will do their schoolwork only if they are penalized for a poor performance. The opposite view might be labeled “progressive” or “democratic.” It rests on the assumption that children who are brought up with love, trust, and clear but kind leadership are eager to grow up and be like their parents, eager to explore, learn, master skills, and take on responsibility; they need guidance but not sternness or punishment.

Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.

Discipline and unconditional support is earned by understanding and trust and inclusion. Not by isolation, not by nasty tricks.

Kids need to open up to their parents. And parents should realize that when kids are pushing you away, that's the time to really step in.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

I just love creating an environment where people can open up and say what's on their mind and in their heart.

Children need teachers who have stars in their eyes themselves and who treat them with respect.

Never patronize a child.

Parents should support and love their kids no matter what.

I love being around kids; they're honest and refreshing, and I love teaching them new things.

I am not ever in the business of making anyone feel bad.

Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction.

In my own life, when I was most inspired by a teacher, it always involved a real dialogue, a looseness and a real caring and compassion. It was not without rigor, not without discipline, not without standards, but all that was done out of love.

Human relations are built on feeling, not on reason or knowledge. And feeling is not an exact science; like all spiritual qualities, it has the vagueness of greatness about it.

Give me a child and I'll shape him into anything.

When I hear Obama speak he just seems really sincere and he just seems like somebody who actually has his heart and his motivation in the right place. Forget about color or race or gender or whatever, he's got his heart in the right place.

No lies, just love.

Let our children be taught love love love.

Hairdressers don't judge you. They pretty much accept everything because they've heard everything. They're on your side, like a cheerleader, and there's no competition. They don't want to be you, and you don't want to be them.

We need to do teacher training to educate them about what temperament means. Shyness is painful and you want to help a child with shyness - but the underlying temperament of being a careful, sensitive person is to be honoured, valued and respected.

I've always had a strong love and a sense of care for kids. And the one thing is evident and is so true - the kids are our future.

Real men know how to listen, and real men know how to be honest.

I hope that whenever my daughter has a negative experience, I'm there to talk about it and remind her how we feel when it's done to her so that she doesn't do it to others.

We must, I believe, start teaching our children the sanity of nonviolence much earlier.

My grandmother had a great saying. It always stuck with me: 'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.' They've got to see it and feel it. And it's for real. And that's all. Be who you are.