Child Quote by Alicia F Lieberman
“When the toddler does something and there are consequences for his action civilization begins.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Emotional Life of the Toddler by Alicia F. Lieberman, 1993
When a toddler experiences consequences for actions, the capacity for social order and moral understanding begins to form, marking the start of civilization.
In simple terms: Rules and consequences create civilization.
Key Takeaway
Use consequences to teach responsibility.
Themes
child development
consequences
socialization
civilization
Mood
insightful
foundational
hopeful
Type
observation
parenting insight
When to use this quote
- parenting
- teaching discipline
- child psychology
- classroom management
Key Concepts
cause and effect
moral development
behavioral boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we respond to a toddler's actions?
- What does consequence teach beyond punishment?
A Different Perspective
Consequences must be developmentally appropriate to be effective.
![“[T]hat little voice shut up the instant I did something. And not just something: the exact thing I knew to be right. Because if the system was broken, if Carrie Johnstone wasn’t going to ever pay consequences for her action, it wasn’t because “the system” failed to get her. It was because people…” quote by Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/630/cory-doctorow-1928_part-of-the-problem_t-hat-little-voice-shut-up-the-instant-i_886208.jpg)
