--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We destroy the love of learning in…" description: "\"We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contempti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/john-holt-14171_children_we-destroy-the-love-of-learning-in-child_2438692.jpg" --- # We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so… ![“We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards, gold stars, or papers marked 100 and tacked to the wall, or A's on report cards, or honor rolls, or dean's lists, or Phi Beta Kappa…” quote by John Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/john-holt-14171_children_we-destroy-the-love-of-learning-in-child_2438692.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/john-holt-14171_children_we-destroy-the-love-of-learning-in-child_2438692.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/600/john-holt-14171_children_we-destroy-the-love-of-learning-in-child_2438692.jpg) > “We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards, gold stars, or papers marked 100 and tacked to the wall, or A's on report cards, or honor rolls, or dean's lists, or Phi Beta Kappa keys, in short, for the ignoble satisfaction of feeling that they are better than someone else.” [John Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-holt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that external rewards diminish intrinsic motivation for learning, turning curiosity into competition for status symbols. **In simple terms:** Rewards make kids learn for praise, not for love of learning. Key Takeaway Focus on fostering curiosity, not grades. Themes education motivation intrinsic vs extrinsic child development Mood reflective concerned Type advisory critical When to use this quote - classroom teaching - parental encouragement - after‑school programs - gifted education Key Concepts Self-determination theory behavioral conditioning social comparison Questions to Reflect On - How can we recognize genuine curiosity? - What alternatives to grades can celebrate learning? 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