Children Will Listen

Children Will Listen

Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
"Listen to me."
Children will listen.

Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take-
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you...

Careful the tale you tell,
That is the spell.
Children will listen.

"Children Will Listen" was written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway play, "Into the Woods." It speaks to the message that as teachers and parents, our words and actions are always noted. We can me models of tolerance and understanding.