The plant needs as much water as the child needs encouragement, says Dreikurs. YES, but pouring water on the plant is a very simple action. Encouraging the child, however, how difficult or how easy can it be?
It is difficult if we ask them every time to do what WE think they should do. It is easy if we settle for what they can do each time - and we congratulate them for it. And if we awaken their interest in activities they have a talent for but do not yet have the courage to attempt - or because we discouraged them.
Encouragement is the water in the mill of Democracy. The more autonomously, equally, and boldly individuals feel, the better Democracy functions. The art of Encouragement - as analyzed in this book (with examples from family and school life) - provides Parents and Teachers with the tools..., to also offer society equal, courageous, and responsible democratic citizens - collaborators.
[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]
