Children will listen.

It’s an old saying, but true.

Last week, the saying took life and even saved a life when Jamarion Blevins, 7, smelled smoke while he took a bath. He didn’t stop to get dressed. He spotted the fire, covered his mouth and nose and searched for his grandmother. Because of his alert, the grandmother and both grandchildren — three of the seven people who lived in the house — escaped with their lives.

Jamarion said he learned to protect himself and others by listening to firefighters at school when they visited.

Jamarion is a hero.

But the lesson goes further than just a 7-year-old saving his family.

Adults should remember children listen. They learn from hearing what grown-ups say and by observing what they do. Those lessons don’t go away easily.

Adults should be constructive in their talk and in their actions.

After all, children will listen.