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It is almost impossible for a parent to hold a secret from…

“It is almost impossible for a parent to hold a secret from a child. Children, without the skills of language, spend years developing instead an intuition. By the time they are fifteen, as I was, they are masters of a kind of clairvoyance that tells them, He is depressed, He is frightened, He is…” quote by Cynthia Rylant
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““It is almost impossible for a parent to hold a secret from a child. Children, without the skills of language, spend years developing instead an intuition. By the time they are fifteen, as I was, they are masters of a kind of clairvoyance that tells them, He is depressed, He is frightened, He is pleased.””

Cynthia Rylant

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Children develop an intuitive sense, often perceiving adults’ emotions before they can articulate them.

In simple terms: Kids sense feelings early.

Key Takeaway

Listen to children's cues.

Themes

empathy intuition development

Mood

observant thoughtful

Type

educational psychological

When to use this quote

  • parenting
  • education
  • therapy
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

psychology of child perception emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can adults validate children's insights?
  • What signs indicate a child’s emotional state?
A Different Perspective

Adults may misinterpret or dismiss these subtle signals.

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