When you speak to a lot of kids, as I've done over the years, you know what to say, keep them laughing, good illustrations and learn to read.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.
I want to encourage kids to speak up, to tell their stories. That is the only way people will know what we have to go through. Believe in yourself. Someone once told me being different isn't bad - different is just different!
We try to keep a good line of communication open with our children. It's not always about trying to just teach them every moment, but it's about listening to them and trying to understand them and gain that sense of communication so when they need to talk to someone, they know that we're there.
Be a good reading role model. Show kids what you like to read, what you don't like to read, how you choose what you read. Let them see you reading.
I do a lot of inspirational talks for kids, to motivate them to change their lives and give them hope.
Kids learn more from example than from anything you say; I'm convinced they learn very early not to hear anything you say, but to watch what you do.
I've been a schoolteacher. I always try to get the kids to finish talking before the next one starts.
As a kid, I was told to talk as much as possible.
There's nothing I like better than talking to kids, just sharing the music with them. To relate to them, you need to play songs they're familiar with.
You have to really respect what your kids are doing with their kids and how they're raising them. You can't push your way into areas where you shouldn't be saying anything. You have to always remember they're not your own kids. Play with them, love them, spoil them to death - then hand them back.