Everyone benefits from being positive and grateful. Even very young children pick up easily on the cues around them; positive or negative.
Gratitude, when practiced and cultivated, can quickly become a healthy and positive way of life. Research shows that gratitude has a powerful effect on the brain and has been associated with everything from better sleep and lower anxiety to improved relationships and higher self-esteem. It also helps us become more optimistic, less depressed and less stressed. It’s a quality parents surely want to pass down to their children so that they can become happier, healthier adults.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and what a great time to overcome any spiral of negativity. We want to encourage you to try a few of the following ideas to boost gratitude. You’ll be surprised at how the atmosphere will adjust when small changes toward gratitiude in your life take place.
START THE DAY WITH THANKS
Is there a song your family (especially the kids) seem to enjoy that would start the day off on the right key? Play it as the kids gather for breakfast. Dance in the kitchen. Watch the smiles spread. This can help set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
MODEL GRATEFULNESS
As a parent, you play an important role in modeling what you would like to see in your children. Saying and teaching words of gratefulness are important, so start at an early age with simple phrases like “please” and “thank you”. Make sure to use these words in conversation with your child and teach them to say “thank you” to people who help them or who do things for them.
ONE POW AND THREE WOWS
For children that are old enough to grasp the concept, introduce this game during a family mealtime. Each person tells about one not-so-good thing that happened that day and to balance it out name three good things that happened, or three things they are thankful for. It’s okay if the things they are thankful for are silly or simple. It’s the idea of returning our hearts and minds to the good things in life.
TAKE NOTICE
Comment and point out gratitude displayed in other people. You can catch other people being kind and helpful and say something like “I like how that lady said thank you to the man who helped her load her groceries.” Or even point it out during a favorite TV show when gratefulness is modeled.
ROLE-PLAY
A lengthy speech on gratitude is hard for little ones to grasp. Instead, try using the power of play to demonstrate what gratitude means and how it positively affects others. Act out with toys or dolls what it might look like for Teddy Bear to do something kind for Little Dolly…and how Little Dolly might respond with words of gratitude.
STORY TIME
During story time, point out grateful moments in the books that you’re already reading. There are books that specifically teach about gratitude. Check out: Llama, Llama Gives Thanks, Elephant and Piggie’s Thank You Book, and The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings.
TALK ABOUT IT
Take time to talk about all the things to be grateful for. This can be done in many ways, from a prayer before dinner or bedtime to writing or drawing in a gratitude journal. You can also write gratitudes on papers and keep them in a Blessing Jar. Make gratitude cards and send them to special people, writing inside why you (and your child) are grateful for them.
DIG DEEPER
Consider asking your child questions inviting them to think deeply about what they are thankful for. The following are targeted questions from Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center:
- Notice: Invite your child to notice things in their life that they can be grateful for.
- Think: Ask them to think about why the things they noticed have been given to them.
- Feel: Ask your child how they feel about the things that have been given to them.
- Do: Ask your child what they can do to express their feelings of gratitude and appreciation.
GRATEFULNESS IN ACTION
There are so many wonderful charitable organizations and causes we can support in all kinds of ways. Donate toys or clothes – ask your child to help you select items they have outgrown, or head to the store to purchase new. Participate in a food drive, bake cookies for a neighbor, raise money for a favorite charity during a fundraiser. While doing these generous actions, talk to your child about what they are doing and how it positively affects those who receive their kindness, and how it also affects us to do good for others.
KEEP IT UP
Gratitude is a skill that develops over time. Like muscles in our body, gratitude grows stronger with continued exercise. Keep working at it as, like all skills, gratitude is not learned in one lesson. As children grow with gratitude, they become more understanding of the needs and feelings of others.
Gratitude is a wonderful life skill that brings an awareness of the many things for which we can be thankful. It can change the way we think and feel about ourselves and the world in which we live. Teaching kids strategies to develop their own sense of gratitude is a perfect way to help them grow into sensitive and emotionally intelligent big people.
If you need more guidance on gratefulness and more creative ways to instill it into your life contact the PLC Health Clinic at www.plchealthclinic.org or 419-238-9177.
Reference blogs:
https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/teaching-young-kids-about-gratitude/
https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/toddler/teach-gratitude-kids
