Cheers to hardworking kids! A collection of recommended quotes to gift to children

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Have you ever felt the desire to offer words that leave a lasting impression as you watch a child grow? The famous quotes left by great figures are filled with messages that gently encourage children as they embark on their lives: the importance of having dreams, the courage to take on challenges, and the power to believe in themselves.

Short yet weighty words can reach the hearts of even elementary school students with ease.

We have gathered quotes we hope you’ll share at milestones such as graduations, school entries, or times when spirits are low.

Please use them as inspiration for a gift to your child.

Cheer for hardworking children! Recommended collection of quotes to give to kids (21–30)

Do not think you’ve exhausted all options. Stand on the brink of a sheer cliff yourself. Only then will a new wind surely begin to blow.NEW!Konosuke Matsushita

These words say that even when faced with great hardship, you must not give up; what matters is taking that first step forward from there.

It expresses that precisely when you feel cornered, it is crucial to push on, because the outcome awaits beyond what may seem like a reckless challenge.

It also conveys that when you’re pressed to the limit, deliberately cutting off your escape routes enables bold actions and decisions.

It’s a message that teaches the mindset of turning adversity into strength and the importance of the courage to take that first step.

Raise the rankinglower

kappamaki

Report a problem

One more step. I think this at all times: one more step. This moment is the most important. One more step.NEW!Saneatsu Mushanokōji

Saneatsu Mushanokōji, a novelist also known for participating in the launch of the magazine Shirakaba.

This quote embodies a spirit of never being satisfied with the status quo and always striving to improve.

It’s good to act with goals, but if you want to keep growing, you need to move even further forward.

This is the “one more step” for that purpose.

By never forgetting that step, no matter the circumstances, you’ll always be able to meet a new version of yourself.

Even a small step is fine—let’s become a better version of ourselves than we were yesterday.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

No matter how much we study and how diligent we are, things sometimes don’t go well. This is because the time is not yet ripe, so we must all the more encourage ourselves and endure.NEW!Eiichi Shibusawa

These are words left by Eiichi Shibusawa, whose portrait was also chosen for the 10,000-yen bill.

No matter how earnestly you pile up your efforts, there are times when things don’t go well.

However, that’s because the time isn’t ripe yet; his teaching is that you must encourage yourself and push through further.

In other words, it means to keep working without giving up until the time is right.

When you experience failure despite your efforts, it’s easy to give up then and there, but if the timing aligns, things should go well.

Let’s keep at it without losing heart until that moment arrives.

Raise the rankinglower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

Other people’s rulers and your own ruler each have different measurements, don’t they?NEW!Mitsuo Aida

This is a famous quote about values by Mitsuo Aida, a poet born in the Taisho era.

We want to avoid worrying about others’ opinions so much that we can’t be ourselves, or feeling angry and thinking, “Why won’t they even do this for me?” When you recall these words at such times, you realize that each person’s values are different, and that you shouldn’t be overly discouraged by others’ evaluations, nor should you judge others solely by your own values.

Raise the rankinglower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

Those who do not advance will surely fall back, and those who do not retreat will surely advance.NEW!Yukichi Fukuzawa

These are words written in the book An Encouragement of Learning.

They are followed by: “It is a principle that there must not be those who, advancing neither forward nor backward, remain stagnant.” “Stagnation” means staying in the same place—in other words, maintaining the status quo.

Taken together with the preceding statement, it means that the only people who can move forward are those who keep advancing without retreat, and that if you try to maintain the status quo without striving to move ahead, you will inevitably fall behind.

It is important to always have the ambition to move at least a little further than yesterday and to keep taking on challenges.

Raise the rankinglower

Hane Keisuke

Report a problem

I believe that the true turning point for growth is whether you can keep moving forward step by step—without anxiety, without fear, and without hesitation—especially when you’re not seeing results.NEW!Yoshiharu Habu

These are words from the shogi player Yoshiharu Habu.

It’s frustrating when you’re working hard but not seeing results, isn’t it? You start to feel like you’re in the dark and lose sight of what to do.

But it’s precisely at times like these that you should keep steadily building your efforts, one step at a time.

Rushing ahead blindly out of impatience won’t lead to good outcomes.

Stay calm and keep moving forward, even little by little, along the path you believe in.

That very experience and strength will help you grow yet another step.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

98% of our worries are needlessNEW!Masahiro Fujimura

Masahiro Fujimura, renowned as a charismatic figure in the marketing world, has also published books on the method of selling experiences.

Don’t you think these words resonate with many people? When we want to take action but can’t, it’s usually because of risks, the future, and other worries.

However, Mr.

Fujimura says that 98% of those worries are needless.

In other words, overthinking won’t help.

No matter how much you think, your anxiety will never drop to zero, so believe that you’ll be okay and keep moving forward.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem