--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If children live with approval, they…" description: "\"If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.\" — Dorothy Nolte" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png" --- # If children live with approval, they learn to like… ![“If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.” quote by Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png) > “If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.” [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children who receive affirmation develop healthy self‑esteem and confidence. **In simple terms:** Approval builds self‑love. Key Takeaway Give genuine praise to foster confidence. Themes parenting self‑esteem psychology Mood supportive thoughtful Type educational psychological When to use this quote - school settings - home environment - coach feedback Key Concepts positive reinforcement emotional development Questions to Reflect On - How can praise be balanced with constructive feedback? - What signs show a child’s self‑esteem is healthy? A Different Perspective Over‑praise may lead to entitlement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) [Approval Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval-learn-4726257/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-live/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Learn Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-like-239713/) ## Related quotes > [I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-am-always-ready-to-learn-although-i-do-not-always-like-being-taught/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Live like you were to die the next day and learn like you were to live forever .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trippynation/live-like-you-were-to-die-the-next-day-and-learn-like-you-were-to/) [\#trippynation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trippynation/) > [Dogs aren't born knowing what or what not to do; they only learn like children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-woodhouse/dogs-aren-t-born-knowing-what-or-what-not-to-do-they-only-learn-like/) [Barbara Woodhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-woodhouse/) > [“Learn to like what doesn't cost much. Learn to like reading, conversation, music. Learn to like plain food, plain service, plain cooking. Learn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lowell-bennion/learn-to-like-what-doesn-t-cost-much-learn-to-like-reading/) [Lowell Bennion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lowell-bennion/) > [I'm, like, finishing up high school. I don't know how you can learn anything from me because I'm still, like, a teenager. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-kim/i-m-like-finishing-up-high-school-i-don-t-know-how-you-can-learn/) [Chloe Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-kim/) > [I really don't know what I'm doing... I don't. It's terrible. I go in there and I learn how to be like the character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/i-really-don-t-know-what-i-m-doing-i-don-t-it-s-terrible-i-go-in/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [Fashion is a language. Some know it, some learn it, some never will - like an instinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-head/fashion-is-a-language-some-know-it-some-learn-it-some-never-will-like/) [Edith Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-head/) > [The world is as good as you are. You've got to learn to like yourself first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcqueen/the-world-is-as-good-as-you-are-you-ve-got-to-learn-to-like-yourself/) [Steve McQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcqueen/) > [When your teeth are gone, learn to like mush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-williams/when-your-teeth-are-gone-learn-to-like-mush/) [Tad Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-williams/) > [If you can learn to like how you look, and not the way you think you look, it can set you free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/if-you-can-learn-to-like-how-you-look-and-not-the-way-you-think-you/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [Just learn to like cats. -Cinderella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/disney-princess/just-learn-to-like-cats-cinderella/) [Disney Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/disney-princess/) > [For me, there are always things to learn. It's like the next movie is going to be the good one, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maiwenn/for-me-there-are-always-things-to-learn-it-s-like-the-next-movie-is/) [Maiwenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maiwenn/) > [I am about to learn what it's like to live here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/i-am-about-to-learn-what-it-s-like-to-live-here/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [One of my strengths is I learn, and I like to learn from all sorts of people in all walks of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/one-of-my-strengths-is-i-learn-and-i-like-to-learn-from-all-sorts-of/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [“You need to learn how to like you school. But I don't want to! But you need to. Mom! I've got him sweety!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenna-bear/you-need-to-learn-how-to-like-you-school-but-i-don-t-want-to-but-you/) [Kenna Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenna-bear/) ## More by Dorothy Nolte > [Children learn what they live. If a child lives with criticism... he learns to condemn. If he lives with hostility... he learns to fight.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/children-learn-what-they-live-if-a-child-lives-with-criticism-he/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. ... If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive. ... If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-a-child-lives-with-criticism-he-learns-to-condemn-if-a-child-lives/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [I did a series of classes in psychology (at the institute), .. The students that came to that class had children. And over a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/i-did-a-series-of-classes-in-psychology-at-the-institute-the-students/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [Children do learn what they live. Then they grow up to live what they've learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/children-do-learn-what-they-live-then-they-grow-up-to-live-what-they/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If he lives with hostility, he learn s to fight. If a child lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-a-child-lives-with-criticism-he-learns-to-condemn-if-he-lives-with/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [If a child lives with approval, he learns to live with himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-a-child-lives-with-approval-he-learns-to-live-with-himself/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) > [If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-a-child-lives-with-acceptance-and-friendship-he-learns-to-find/) [Dorothy Nolte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) [Explore all 8 Dorothy Nolte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/) ## More Approval quotes > [Anyone who's read my 'Terror in the Skies' series knows that I have not been writing with an eye toward approval from any government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-jacobsen/anyone-who-s-read-my-terror-in-the-skies-series-knows-that-i-have-not/) [Annie Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-jacobsen/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [But I always reassure them that as far as my contractual rights can go, I will protect them and make sure that they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/but-i-always-reassure-them-that-as-far-as-my-contractual-rights-can/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [Growing up in that fashion is a breeding ground for insecurity and doubt; it also leaves you questioning motives. It took me a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-runyon/growing-up-in-that-fashion-is-a-breeding-ground-for-insecurity-and/) [Damon Runyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-runyon/) > [A year ago, my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the supreme court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/a-year-ago-my-approval-rating-was-in-the-30s-my-nominee-for-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/approval-is-a-greater-motivator-than-disapproval-but-we-have-to/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [These days people are mean to people just because they don't like the way they look. No-one should be hated because of their flaws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/these-days-people-are-mean-to-people-just-because-they-don-t-like-the/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, Way to Go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-got-this-emptiness-inside-that-got-me-fighting-for-approval-because/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [My dad taught me swears when I was a toddler, and I saw, at a really early age, that if I shocked people, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/my-dad-taught-me-swears-when-i-was-a-toddler-and-i-saw-at-a-really/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [Comedy is a very approval-oriented field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/comedy-is-a-very-approval-oriented-field/) [Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/) > [Whenever you are too worried about someone else's approval, that person loses respect for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/whenever-you-are-too-worried-about-someone-else-s-approval-that/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Do you really mean the only reason you try to be good is to gain God's approval and reward? That's not morality, that's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/do-you-really-mean-the-only-reason-you-try-to-be-good-is-to-gain-god/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Browse all 904 Approval quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dorothy Nolte" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-children-live-with-approval-they-learn-to-like-themselves/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Approval" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-children-live-with-approval-they-learn-to-like-themselves/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/dorothy-nolte-47040_approval_if-children-live-with-approval-they-lear_1371827.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.” — Dorothy Nolte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dorothy Nolte", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-nolte/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If children live with approval, they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-children-live-with-approval-they-learn-to-like-themselves/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-nolte/if-children-live-with-approval-they-learn-to-like-themselves/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```