Power List: Influential People with Inspirational Words

Need to re-invigorate your passion?

Read and reflect on these timeless quotes about child development for a quick-pick-me-up. Your work is truly shaping our next generation!

James Baldwin (1924 – 1987) was a writer and playwright who challenged America to uphold its values on equity and justice.

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.

The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn.

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician, educator and philosopher who pioneered the Montessori method that builds on the way children learn naturally.

With his uncanny ability to connect with children, Fred Rogers (1928 – 2003) hosted all 895 episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and inspired generations to come.

Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero.

It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

Fredrick Douglass (1818-1895) was an orator and writer who will always be remembered for using the power of words to fight for emancipation.

Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet whose powerful quotes stand the test of time.

Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.

Many things can wait. Children cannot. Today their bones are being formed, their blood is being made, their senses are being developed. To them we cannot say "tomorrow."

Chilean author and educator, Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957), was the first Latin American author to receive the Nobel Prize in literature. She boldly advocated on behalf of women, children and many disadvantaged groups in her community.

Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014) was a world-famous poet, author and civil rights activist.

I think we have systematically and critically harmed ourselves and many young people by advising them not to try things.

Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.

Frederich Frobel (1782 – 1852) was a German educator credited with founding kindergarten and the idea of learning through play.

A co-founder of ZERO TO THREE, Jeree Pawl was a pioneer in infant and early childhood mental health.

To be held in another’s mind is a precious thing. Equally precious is to hold another in one’s own.

We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) was the 32nd president of the United States who helped pull America out of the Great Depression.

Together, we can put these wise words into action.

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