As you age your life will transition from the child/student to the adult/teacher.  With continuous learning a child can learn and teach, and an adult can teach and learn.  A child is learning every day and learning can be a strange and new adventure, so be gentle with the child.  It is an adventure that might take this child across cultures and continents with experiences that can include wars, tragedy, sorrow, failure, success, joy, love, and happiness.  To live this life will require hope, love, and courage.  So dear teacher will you take this child by the hand and teach the good things you know?

Please teach a child: 

That some people are not fair, and some are not honest, but also teach for every fake person there are many heroes; for every selfish person there many more kind and helpful people.  Teach that for every enemy there are also many friends.  For every follower this is a dedicated coach, mentor, and leader. Direct this child away from envy to understanding.  Let the child learn early that bullies can be defeated.  Teach the child the rewards of learning and doing.  Give the child space and time to think about the mystery and wonder of life: the birds in the sky, the warmth of the sun, the nurture of rain, the food in the garden and the trees in the forest.

Teach that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.  Teach the child to have faith in their ideas, even if others don’t. Teach the child to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with tough people.  Try to give the child the strength not to follow the crowd if the child does not believe in the purpose.  Teach listening to everyone and teach to filter all that is heard with a screen of truth and take only the truth and good that comes through the filter.

Teach how to be strong when sadness comes and there is no shame in tears. Teach a child to beware of too much salt or sugar – beware of spiteful critics or too much sweetness.  Teach to seek a fair reward for talent but never to put a price-tag on their heart, soul, and honesty. Teach to have sound judgement to avoid the loud mob, and to stand and fight if it is morally right.  Teach the child with care and understanding, but do not cuddle, because life’s mistakes, regret and scares are the child’s life experiences that will fine tune the child’s ability. Teach to have the courage to be impatient and have the patience to be brave. Teach faith in self and faith in humankind.  This is a big responsibility, but you can do it, for this child is our future.  By Rick Macy. Original source Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher.  Author Unknown. Not President Lincoln.