• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

4C for Children

Newsletter Sign Up Donate
  • Families
    • Find Child Care
      • Child Care in Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley
    • Choose Quality Care
    • Pay for Child Care
    • Parent & Youth Ambassadors
    • Foster, Adoptive, Kinship Care
    • Family Resources
      • Family Source Newsletter
      • Learning Every Day Activities
      • Learn Through Play Calendars
      • Quick Connections Video Resources
  • Providers
    • Coaching
      • Quality Practices Library
    • Training Opportunities
    • Step Up To Quality
      • Classroom Resource Tool
    • Developing Early Childhood Leaders (DECL)
    • Child Development Associate
    • Conference
      • Keynote
      • Exhibitors
    • Program Portal
    • Provider Resources
      • Common ECE Acronyms
      • Update your Program Information
      • Pathways e-Newsletter
  • Child Care Careers
    • Launch a Career
  • Business Services
    • Start a Child Care Program
      • Expand a Child Care Program
      • Child Nutrition Program (CNP)
        • CNP Resources for Child Care Centers
        • CNP Staff Directory
        • CNP Resources for Family Child Care Programs
      • Job Board
    • Get Involved
      • Advocacy
      • Events
      • 4C for Children Champions Gala
        • Champions for Children Award Honorees
        • Event Details
        • Directions
        • 4C for Children Champions Gala Tickets
      • 4C for Children Shining Stars
      • Leave a Legacy
      • Volunteer
      • Shop and Support 4C
    • About
      • Mission & History
      • A Welcoming Workplace
      • Board of Trustees
      • What's New
      • Leadership
      • Our Impact Report
      • Careers
    • Contact

    Practicing Gratitude with Children

    October 29, 2024

    Caregivers often worry they are not raising children who are appreciative. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, now is the perfect time to focus on gratitude and the many ways to show it.

    Children are not born feeling grateful so they begin to understand the concept they also need to begin learning how to practice and show it. As early as age 2 they may start expressing thanks when asked. By ages 3-5, children can understand the concept of gratitude more deeply and show appreciation independently.

    Teaching children gratitude is a gradual process that requires consistency, patience and creativity. The key is to help them understand the value of appreciation and make it a regular part of their lives.

    Here are some effective ways to teach children thankfulness:

    • Model Gratitude in Everyday Life – Children learn by watching the adults around them. When you show appreciation for others and express thanks in daily interactions, you set a positive example.
    • Talk About What You are Grateful for – Add time each day to openly talk about what you’re grateful for. This can be at mealtimes, on the ride home from school or at bedtime. This practice helps everyone reflect on the positives of the day and share good things with those they love.
    • Teach Them to Say Thank You – Teaching children how and when to say thank you is important. This can include thanking people for gifts, compliments or acts of kindness. Don’t forget to remind them! Over time, they will learn that saying thank you is a meaningful way to recognize others.
    • Practice Acts of Kindness Together – Acts of kindness can be as easy as writing a thank-you note, baking a treat for a neighbor, donating toys and clothing or volunteering at a local charity. Through giving, children learn the reciprocal nature of gratitude and develop empathy.

    By actively practicing gratitude and making it a priority, children and adults may see many benefits, including a boost in happiness and well-being. Give yourself and your family time to experiment with different ways to be appreciative . Once you find strategies that work best for your family, gratitude will become a regular part of your lives.

    Resources:

    • Teaching Your Child Gratitude
    • Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Remembering to be Thankful
    • Nurturing Gratitude

    Categories: 4C for Children News, Business Services, Community, Families, Get Involved, Providers Tags: child, grateful, gratitude, kindness, resource, teach, thank, thank you, Thanksgiving

    « Previous article
    Next article »

    Central Office

    2100 Sherman Ave., #300
    Cincinnati, OH 45212
    800-256-1296

    Locations in your region

    Miami Valley Southwest Ohio
    United Way Logo

    Social

    facebook twitter youtube instagram linkedin
    Privacy Policy | Legal Notices | Accessibility | Sitemap
    Copyright - © 2025 4C for Children
    Website Designed by ePageCity