It's National Gratitude Month- a perfect time to include thankfulness in
children. “Please” and “thank you” are often among the first phrases we teach our children. However, as we get older, we realize that being grateful is more than just
saying “thank you.” It’s never too early to start teaching
kids gratitude, and this is a great time of year to do it!
For some of us, being grateful might not come naturally. That’s why it’s so
helpful for caregivers to teach their kids how to practice gratitude.
For kids, the key is learning how to express thanks beyond the act of simply
saying it.
1. Ground yourself
in nature
Take your child on a nature walk, whether it’s in your backyard, a local
park, or a nature reserve. As you explore, encourage them to find things in
nature that they’re grateful for—like a colorful flower, a buzzing bee, or a
beautiful sunset.
Discuss why these natural wonders make them feel thankful for the world
around them.
2. Explore
gratitude with art collage
Set up an art station with magazines, scissors, glue, and a big sheet of
paper. Ask your child to flip through the magazines and cut out pictures and
words representing things they are thankful for.
Then, help them create a gratitude collage that they can proudly display in
their room, serving as a visual reminder of all the good things in their life!
3. Secret acts of
kindness
Teach your child the joy of giving by encouraging them to perform secret
acts of kindness. Together, brainstorm simple acts like leaving a kind note
under someone’s pillow or writing kind words on rocks and leaving them in
public places.
By doing these thoughtful deeds anonymously, your child will learn the value
of spreading gratitude without expecting anything in return.
4. Scavenger hunt
with a twist
Instead of finding objects, make a list of things your child can find in
their day that they’re thankful for. It could be a warm hug, a tasty snack, or
a cozy blanket.
As they find these moments of gratitude, have them check them off the list
and tell you why each one is special.
5. Thankful
storytime
Incorporate gratitude into your child’s bedtime routine by reading books
that emphasize thankfulness. Choose stories that revolve around characters
showing appreciation for what they have, their friends, or the world around
them.
After the story, discuss the lessons learned and ask your child to share
something they’re grateful for that day.
READ MORE: 30 Days of Gratitude Turkey Craft
6. Set a good
example
Children look up to their adults to see what’s acceptable and what’s not.
Empathy, kindness, and gratefulness are best taught to your child by practicing
them yourself.
Make a habit of giving thanks or calling loved ones to tell them you
appreciate them. Did your child finish their chores with no complaints? Give
praise and tell them how much it means to you. They’ll normalize this behavior
and learn mimic it naturally.
7. Bedtime
reflections
Practicing gratitude at the end of each day is a great way to get your
little one to appreciate the little things in life. Was it sunny and beautiful
today? Was tonight’s dinner extra delicious? Were the evening cartoons really
funny?
Tell your child about all the things you appreciate. Then, ask your child
about the most wonderful moments in their day and rejoice in how lucky you are
to have experienced them!
8. Encourage your
child to help others
Lending a helping hand is another great way for kids to develop a sense of
gratitude. Volunteer with your child at a local children’s hospital, collect
canned food to donate to a shelter, or bake holiday cookies for the neighbors.
9. Write thank you
cards together
Everyone loves a sweet thank you note! Ask your child to think of people who
they can give gratitude to. A teacher. A friend. Local firefights.
Together you can write a thank you card and deliver it to that person.
10. Keep a
gratitude journal or jar
It can be easy to lose track of the things we’re grateful for in the chaos
of life. That’s why it’s beneficial to write things down to reflect upon them
later. Have a jar on display and anytime your child thinks of something they’re
grateful for, they can write it on a piece of paper and put it in the
jar.
At the end of each month, your family can look through all the things you’ve
been thankful for and celebrate!
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