We frequently underestimate, disregard, disrespect, undervalue, and set a poor example for children. These inspiring quotes are poignant reminders that children matter and deserve to be nurtured and encouraged by engaged adults who recognise their value and are committed to seeing them thrive. One practical and powerful way of making children great is to become a student mentor. Contact us on 6417 3175 or contact@devonportchaplaincy.org.au to get started.

“Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.” — Anonymous

“Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.” — Author unknown

“Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” — Robert Fulghum, author

“Old men can make war, but it is children who will make history.” — Ray Merritt, author

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” — James Baldwin, novelist and social critic

“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” — Haim Ginott, child psychologist

“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” — Stacia Tauscher, dancer and artist

Models, not critics

“Children need models rather than critics.” — Joseph Joubert, French moralist

“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” — Wess Stafford, President Emeritus of Compassion International.

“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” — Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali polymath

“A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.” — Carl Sandburg, American poet

"See that you do not despite on of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven," Mathew 18:10-11, NIV.

“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. — Matthew 19:13-14, NIV

Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble."— Psalms 8:2, The Message

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” — Luke 9:46-47, NIV