As the Thanksgiving season approaches, it’s a great time to pause, contemplate and express gratitude for the blessings that enhance our lives. Gratitude is not a natural instinct, though. Little ones have to learn how to express it!
Research shows having gratitude is not just important to your family’s values, it also has health benefits— including less stress, better sleep, improved optimism, better relationships and less reported anxiety and depression.
How do caregivers help children show gratitude in their lives? When a child is expected to say “thank you,” you may hear adults say, “What do you say?” To help children better understand the reason behind that expected response, it may be helpful to ask, “How did that make you feel?” Having children put into words why they are expressing gratitude to someone will help them connect the words to their emotions.
Besides teaching children to say “thank you,” here are other ideas to help them begin to show daily gratitude.
Model Gratitude Aloud
Children are always listening (even when you think they are not). Allow children to hear you express gratitude for the things you are thankful for, big and small, in the present moment.
Create a Habit of Serving Others
Foster empathy and responsibility in children by encouraging them to get involved in the community. Options include creating care packages for those experiencing homelessness, returning shopping carts to designated areas or cleaning up litter in the park or neighborhood.
Make a Gratitude Jar
Encourage children and adults to think about things they were grateful for throughout the day. All you need is a jar or container that fits small slips of paper. Have members of your family fill out a slip of paper when they are feeling grateful and then add it to the jar. Then watch the jar fill up and enjoy the visual of the big and small things that are blessings in your lives.
Teaching children to have a thankful heart and to be able to express it is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. The best thing about gratitude is that it has positive impacts both on the giver and the receiver. Be a gratitude giver each day and watch your child lead with a thankful heart!
Resources: