Dorothy Law Nolte博士是美国著名作家，教育家和家庭辅导师。1954年她在厨房为当地的小报Torrance Herald专栏写了一首关于教养孩子的诗，题为“孩子从生活中学习”（Children Learn What They Live）。没想到这首没有押韵的诗竟然广泛流传全世界，后来扩展成书。

这首著名的诗描述了生活环境对孩子有巨大影响和塑造力。

如果孩子

生活在挑剔中，学到谴责；

生活在仇恨中，学到斗争；

生活在惧怕中，学到焦虑；

生活在遗憾中，学到自怜；

生活在嘲笑中，学到胆怯；

生活在猜疑中，学到嫉妒；

生活在羞耻中，学到自咎；

生活在鼓励中，学到信心；

生活在宽容中，学到忍耐；

生活在称赞中，学到感谢；

生活在接纳中，学到爱心；

生活在肯定中，学到自爱；

生活在赏识中，学到立志；

生活在共享中，学到慷慨；

生活在诚实中，学到坦诚；

生活在公平中，学到正义；

生活在恩慈和体谅中，学到尊重；

生活在安全中，学到信任自己和周围的人；

生活在友情中，学到在这世界可以活出美好。

Children Learn What They Live

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.