Approval Quote by Penelope Leach
“You know that your toddler needed love and approval but he often seemed not to care whether he got it or not and never seemed to know how to earn it. Your pre-school child is positively asking you to tell him what does and does not earn approval, so he is ready to learn any social refinement of being human which you will teach him…He knows now that he wants your love and he has learned how to ask for it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Child Development and Parenting by Penelope Leach, 1995
Children need clear guidance on what earns love and approval; explicit teaching helps them understand social expectations.
In simple terms: Teach kids how to earn love and approval.
Key Takeaway
Provide consistent, age‑appropriate feedback.
Themes
parenting
communication
emotional development
boundaries
Mood
caring
patient
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- preschool discipline
- parent‑child conversations
- school readiness
- family rituals
Key Concepts
developmental psychology
social learning
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance guidance with fostering independence?
- What signals show a child truly feels loved?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on approval can hinder intrinsic motivation.
