Inspired by Emerson, Einstein, Angelou, Dr. Seuss, Jung, Dewey, Gandhi, Picasso, and Dahl
Working with kids is one of those experiences that changes you. They make you slow down, laugh more, and notice the little things you might have missed. Whether it’s in a classroom, at home, or on the playground, kids remind us that learning isn’t just about lessons — it’s about curiosity, play, and connection.
These quotes and reflections that follow are a reminder of how powerful that work really is — and how much we can learn from the children we guide. These quotes are great for teachers to paste on the wall or just a daily reminder of the important work caregivers do. Make sure to download your free printable quotes!
Words to Remember when working with kids
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The secret in education lies in respecting the pupil.”
The best way to guide a young child is to honor their curiosity as a human being.
Albert Einstein
“Play is the highest form of research.”
The simplicity of play reveals the world’s greatest gift—the joy of discovery.
Maya Angelou
“It takes a very long time to become young.”
Through free expression and free play, young people rediscover what it means to be fully alive.
Dr. Seuss
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Little people teach us great things through the little things they do.
Carl Jung
“In every adult there lurks a child—an eternal child.”
To nurture others, we must reconnect with that small child within ourselves, even in hard times.
John Dewey
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”
The only way to teach is through experience—through play, free expression, and hard work together.
Mahatma Gandhi
“If we are to reach real peace in this world, we shall have to begin with the children.”
In difficult times, building strong children is the best way to build a stronger world.
Pablo Picasso
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
Children play with purpose; in the simplicity of play, they create great things.
Roald Dahl
“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Even on bad days, a young child’s imagination reminds us there’s no such thing as a small dream.
Helen Keller
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
There is no better way to reach a child than through genuine compassion and connection.
Henry David Thoreau
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
The highest expression of human development is found in the quiet confidence we nurture in a young child.
Henry Ford
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
When teachers, parents, and children share a common goal, even difficult times become opportunities for growth.
Barbara Kingsolver
“The friendliest thing you can do for the earth is to raise kind children.”
Meeting children’s basic needs for safety, play, and love is the foundation of a better world.
Eckhart Tolle
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.”
When we are fully present, we see that play children engage in is not a distraction — it is life’s purest lesson.
On Parenting and Growth
There is no such thing as a perfect parent — only those who show up with much patience, love, and willingness to learn.
On Dreams and Possibility
Children remind us to dream beyond limits. Their laughter carries the promise of our wildest dreams made real.
On Play and Humanity
The highest expression of human development may well be found in a child’s ability to play freely, to imagine, and to love without hesitation.
On Simplicity and Joy
It’s a wonderful thing to watch a child explore the world — through curiosity, creativity, and the joy of discovery.
Did you like this post? We’ve got a handful of other awesome printables like Mindfulness Quotes for Kids, Mother to Son Quotes, and Cute Easter Quotes for Babies.