Beverly Cleary Quotes

I learned by example. ...As a kid you think you are just the same as other adults.

I think what my father appreciated was the science experiment of life. He had these kids, and they had their own experiences. He wanted us to discover the world for ourselves.

The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.

The kids are old enough now - I just want to let them be kids. I don't want to comment on them too much. They're at an age where I just want to let them be kids.

If you want your children to bring original ideas into the world, you need to let them pursue their passions, not yours.

Kids are sponges. They will emulate what they see and what they're exposed to.

Children (nay, and men too) do most by example.

I discovered very early that it wasn't quite enough for me to imitate people.

It wasn't so much that I had to leave to make it in the music business as I was curious to be out on my own and sort of explore. I never felt that where I was ever influenced my songwriting.

It was the first time I traveled alone, but I was not scared.

For me, I want my kids to find their way. If they're interested in something, I want them to try it out.

What a child can do in cooperation today, he can do alone tomorrow.

You don't want to give kids an idea that they might not have thought of.

My mother set us to an activity and let us be.

The children whom nobody leads by the hand are the children who know they are children.

Every child is going to grow up. You can see it happen in the books: They get older and older and belong to themselves to a greater and greater extent.

I want simply to learn about the world and live freely.

I was socially isolated as a kid. I had friends, but I wasn't very good at sports and that sort of thing so I became quite comfortable being by myself, exploring. The world was my private playground, and in it, I was supreme. Darwin, Faraday, Huxley and other great scientists were my companions.

I think it's necessary to let kids get bored once in a while - that's how they learn to be creative.

I was the youngest child. I got to be myself and ask stupid questions because I was the youngest. It is so important to listen to the questions children have and reward them for the wondrous questions they ask.

In play, a child is always above his average age, above his daily behavior; in play, it is as though he were a head taller than himself.

Children learn what they live.

I think the beauty of growing up is not really knowing and figuring it out for yourself.

Don't try to 'fix' the child's boredom - rather, let the child find his or her inner resources.

Kids are born curious about the world. What adults primarily do in the presence of kids is unwittingly thwart the curiosity of children.