If you walk into any store, drive down any street, or turn on your television or radio, it’s easy to see that the Christmas season is upon us. The decorations pop up earlier and earlier every year, and it’s easy to blow right past a holiday that invites us to slow down, pause, and be thankful. I can’t help but wonder if the season of Thanks was perfectly positioned to usher us into the season of JOY that Christmas brings. So before your little family gets swept away into the busyness of the season, consider how you can grow gratitude in the hearts of your children.
More than Manners
It’s not hard to teach our kiddos to say, “thank you,” when someone gives them a gift, or says or does something kind for them. We do this in simple ways, like modeling our own gratitude in front of them, or by prompting them to pause to express thanks with phrases like, “what do you say?” These are the ways in which we prepare the soil of their hearts to begin growing gratitude. In the beginning, we are teaching our children social niceties. But over the years, you will see that gratitude is about more than manners. It is a character trait that pushes back on entitlement, increases social connection and empathy, and leads to less feelings of stress and more feelings of joy in adulthood.
Growing Gratitude
Believe it or not, children are not born with a strong moral compass. It is our job as parents and educators to teach them what matters. Here at Wishing Well, we love to partner with the work you are already doing to help your child grow in gratitude. Here are a few ideas to get started!
Model Gratitude:
Children learn positive social behavior by watching adults. At Wishing Well, your child might hear us express gratitude to a helpful child by saying, “I really appreciate how Avery helped put away those books! That sure made my job easier.” In this way, we help teach your child what gratitude sounds like.
Storytime
Few things are more powerful than a good book when it comes to teaching concepts to children. There are many wonderful books to help teach children about gratitude. When sharing a story with your little one, as questions like, “How did that character feel when someone helped them? How did he show thanks?”
Gratitude Rituals
Preschoolers love routines! There are many creative ways you can incorporate the practice of daily gratitude. Consider putting up a bulletin board in your home and using colored pieces of paper to write down and display things you are thankful for. Feel free to use words or pictures! Additionally, you could use a “thankful jar.,” to keep track of the things you and your children are thankful for. Then, periodically pull out the pieces of paper and remember what you have been thankful for over the weeks and months.
Simple Acts of Kindness
Encourage your child to express their appreciation through simple acts of kindness. They may want to draw a picture for a friend, bring a small gift to a teacher, or give a hug. They may even choose to help a sibling after a sibling helped them, or simply say, “thank you.” Regardless of the act, be sure to praise them for their thoughtfulness!
What if they don’t get it?
Don’t worry if your child doesn’t pick up on gratitude right away. Remember, gratitude is grown over time, and every child will develop the quality over time. Just keep modeling and prompting positive behaviors, and pretty soon they will begin showing gratitude all on their own! It’s also important to remember that children will learn to practice polite behavior before internalizing true gratitude. Don’t lose sight of their hearts! If your child forgets to say thank you, don’t scold them. Instead, consider how you might foster empathy and encourage kindness by helping them to consider others
We at Wishing Well are honored to be co-growers of gratitude in the hearts of your little ones. Teaching thankfulness is a powerful part of growing young hearts and minds to be life-long learners. Happy Thanksgiving!