Listen To Your Children

"But since the grown-ups were not able to understand it, I made another drawing: I drew the inside of the boa constrictor, so that the grown-ups could see it clearly.They always need to have things explained. My Drawing Number Two looked like this. (Photo above). The grown-ups' response, this time, was to advise me to lay aside of boa constrictors, whether from the inside or the outside, and devote myself instead to geography, history, arithmetic, and grammar. That is why, at the edge of six, I gave up what might have been a magnificent career as a painter. I had been disheartened by the failure of my Drawing Number One and my Drawing Number T."

"...and after some work with a coloured pencil I succeeded in making my first drawing. My Drawing Number One. It looked like this. (Photo above). I showed my masterpiece to the grown-ups, and asked them weather the drawing frightened them. But they answered: " Frightened? Why should anyone be frightened by a hat? "My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant."

"Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them. Whenever I met one of them who seemed to me at all clear-sighted, I tried the experiment of showing him my Drawing Number One, which I had always kept. I would try to find out, so, if this was a person of true understanding. But, whoever it was, he, or she, would always say:

"That is a hat. " Then I would never talk to that person about boa constrictors, or primeval forests, or stars. I would talk to him about bridge, and golf, and politics, and neckties.

And the grown-up would be greatly pleased to have met such a sensible man."

                                 

This is the beginning of the wonderful book The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupe'ry.

Such a strange and wonderful  parable for all ages; a MUST-read.

 

The author asks the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up, Leon Werth, who understands everything even books about children.

All grown-ups were once children- although few of them remember it.

Actually, I so believe in encouraging child's self-esteem and confidence. I remember my dad would always encourage and help me get involved in activities that could raise my self-confidence; such as music or art.

What is your opinion, dear readers? How can we develop child's social skills, or boost self-confidence?
                  
When you were children did you get any support by your parents?

I'd like to dedicate this post to all grown-ups who still remember they were once children. xx