I read Dorothy Law Nolte’s wonderful poem Children Learn What They Live at least once a day between the ages of 5 and 12 because it was taped to the door of Ms Rodgers’ office.

She was the deputy head of the large primary school I attended in the East End of Glasgow and she, along with the rest of the school staff, really lived the words on the page. 

It is something I have always tried to embody in my teaching since I started and I would urge any NQT or ITT student to do so, too -indeed, any teacher for that matter.

It may not always be easy in the busy demands of school life, but they are central tenets always worth keeping in mind - or to have taped to your door perhaps.

Children Learn What They Live: a poem for teachers

‘If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn’

Think before you speak. Can you make your communication with students truly formative? What do you hope to change in the student’s behaviour or learning through sharing your thoughts?

Are you sharing with the student not just what you would like to change, but how you would like that change to come about?

Can you model this in your actions?

‘If children live with hostility, they learn to fight’

Do we model good relationships to our students in the way we communicate with staff and students alike?

Encourage friendliness in all your students and promote sharing, turn-taking and good manners.

‘If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy’

Do we challenge the behaviour that we see unfolding in our classroom and our playgrounds?

Do we challenge “banter” among staff and students alike?

Encourage pupils to call out poor behaviour when they see it and to stand up for those around them.

‘If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty’

Make your classroom a welcoming place to be. Keep the door open to all students, so that they feel safe and supported in your care.

Provide a safe space that allows them to tell you their fears and about anything that may cause them harm.

Keep up-to-date on safeguarding regulations and guidance in your school.

‘If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient’

Even when you have repeated the instructions for the nth time (a situation only amplified by online teaching), do you still keep your cool with those who need it modelled just one more time?

Model patience to the little ones around you.

‘If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident’

Lead by example. Get involved in sports day, sing in the talent show and dance for Comic Relief.

Show that it is OK to make mistakes and to feel a little bit silly sometimes.

‘If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate’

Praise postcards are a great way to show our students what a good job they have done.

Every week, ask one child to write a praise postcard for another student in the class highlighting something they did really well.

‘If children live with fairness, they learn justice’

Encourage children to take responsibility for their actions and ensure that the behaviour policy is applied consistently.

Children don’t necessarily understand the nuance that can creep into our decision making, so always try to be consistent in applying praise and sanctions alike.

‘If children live with security, they learn to have faith’

Be there when you say you will be. Don’t make promises you can’t keep and mean what you say.

Your students will want to believe in you, so don’t let them down. You don’t need to be superhuman - just honest and reliable.

‘If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves’

Be supportive of those in your care and accept them for who they are.

Show an interest in that which interests them - maybe a new book on the Moon landings for the class library would be just what one child needs.

‘If children live with acceptance and friendliness, they learn to find love in the world’

Encourage all students to mix and to accept everyone’s differences. Celebrate that which is both the same and that which is different between the members of your class.

Kirsten Johnson is head of music and drama at a boys’ prep school in north-west London. She tweets as @teach_music_ldn and blogs on https://teachmusicldn.blogspot.com/