Gratitude is an important quality we should all possess. Feeling gratitude helps boost happiness. Practicing gratitude helps one live in a more positive manner. People who are grateful for what they have can feel less pain, less stress, sleep better, and even have stronger immune systems. *Post Contains Affiliate Links*
Teaching our children early to be grateful can be a wonderful lesson that will serve them throughout their life.
How do you cultivate gratitude in your kids?
Gratitude Journal
Give your children a journal to write in. Teach them how they should write about everything they’re feeling then what they’re life would be like without certain blessings. Also writing occasionally (more like once or twice a week) works well for gratitude journaling.
Serve those in Need
Teaching your children to serve those in need is a blessing for both your child but also the impact it’ll place on the person(s) you’re helping. As they serve those in need they will see the comparison between what they have versus those they are helping. They will also gain respect for those in need by seeing they are people worthy of respect.
Teach Your Child to Say Thank You
Teaching your child to say “Thank you” is not just about manners. Teaching them the value of thanking those who have done them a service or given them a gift is valuable. “Thank you” may take some prompts but any show of gratitude towards other from your child without a prompt should be praised.
Ask Questions to Help Them See What to be Thankful For. Here are some examples….
- Tell me a time that someone helped you solve a problem
- Tell about a time you were able to help someone else.
- What is your favorite place in your house?
- Talk about the ways someone makes your life better.
- Choose 3 people to say thank you to today.
- What was the best part of your day?
Read to Them
There are many picture books and kids books that start the conversation and teach your children about gratitude. Here are some wonderful options.
The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson & Jane chapman
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Teach by Example
All parenting tips on how to teach your children a skill, teaching by example should always be on the list. Our kids learn so much by what we do and say. Remember in your own day to day conversations to count your blessings and watch your own negative talk.
Sarah
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