He now adds Jesus' warning against any kind of child abuse, and points out the Father's special concern for children. Jesus explains the childlike attitude needed for life in the kingdom. Some of the qualities of little children that Jesus might have had in mind include curiosity, trust, playfulness, creativity, quickly learn new languages, wanting to be loved, laughter, singing and dancing, enjoyment of stories, making up after a quarrel.
Children often run to their parent for help.
They want to be cuddled and comforted. They trust when they are taken on a long journey. This is perhaps one reason among others why Nicodemus, the great rabbi, had to be born again. In children there are also bad qualities that suggest the need for radical change. They can be destructive, self-centered, miffed, cruel, mean to those they don't like.