SEEN AND NOT HEARD

We say
" A child should be seen and not heard"

The consequence
Of being seen
And not heard

Is not a mystery
Children's
Language & thoughts
Could be in jeopardy

Their childhood
Emasculated
Forcing them to emulate
Adults

Curtailing free speech
At home results
In strangulated childhood

How do we expect
Free flow of ideas
To emanate?

My nephew & niece
As four & two year olds
Were fluent and articulate
In their mother tongue

For they were not only
Seen but also heard

If they were only seen
And not heard
They would not
Have developed
Their language
Possess courage
To articulate

Would not have matured
At tender ages of eleven & eight
and have language skills
To exhibit their wit

They are now tri-lingual
Can engage in discussions
Are versed in world scenes

Grew as children
Developed
Their social skills
Language
Written & spoken

Their ideas flow
'coz were allowed to
Naturally grow

Ample times said
The children talk
Too much
Tell them to shut up

Come inside
Or
Play outside

Reviewing
Our values and attitudes
Rejecting
Outmoded saying

Can be the beginning
Of improved child rearing

We can then change the saying
To
" a child seen and heard ..."
Is all rounded and grows
With language/s highly developed