Educating a child is similar to cultivating a tree. In both cases, the objective is to provide them with their needs in order to coax out the potential that they have. A child needs the very same things a tree does in order to grow.

Earth, Water, Sun & Air.

Each one of these four elements represents a basic component necessary to provide a child with what it needs in order to grow and develop properly.

Earth : Earth represents stability, immobility.

A child must feel secure in knowing that there are values and rules that are inviolable. Earth also provides the tree with nutrients. Applied to the education of a child, it represents both the values we wish him to absorb as well as the connectedness we want him to feel. A child should have deep roots that connect him to a rich source of nourishment. The stronger his connection to this source, the stronger he will grow to be.

Water: Water represents humility.

Water is crucial for a plant's growth. Amongst other things, it helps dissolve the nutrients so that they become absorbable by the plant. The most nutrient-rich soil is useless if the plant lacks the capacity to absorb them.

Humility is an indispensable quality when it comes to being open to absorbing new information. Our children must have humility in order to learn; if they think they know it all, they will not learn.

Pure water brings out the particular potential of each seed. In order to bring out the particular potential of each child, he must be provided with pure water, the pure values. He will then grow and develop in his own particular way and eventually make his unique contribution to the world.

Sun: Sun represents both light and warmth.

Light: We must not just tell our children what to do; we must show them the beauty and richness of what is right.

Warmth: We must provide our children with unconditional love. This unconditional love instills in them a self-esteem and security that allows them to face life's challenges with confidence.

Air: "Air" implies two things: space and atmosphere.

Space: Just as a tree needs space to grow, so too does a child need his own identity and the "space" within which to develop it. He might have unique talents or hobbies that need to be developed.

Atmosphere: It is very important to be aware of the environment that surrounds your child and the "quality of air" that he breathes, in the home as well as outside it.

Trees never complain. Likewise, children oftentimes do not adequately express what they need when they need it. They often suffer in silence. It's our job to tend to the precious seedling that has been placed in our care.