Why Teach Gratitude to Kids?
According to the Mayo Clinic it’s been shown that expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can also decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.
It’s a simple practice, that is completely free. And best of all, when shared, it lifts others up as well. So whether you’re interested in gratitude as a New Year’s Resolution, or because it’s a buzzword around Thanksgiving, there’s no wrong time to start teaching gratitude to kids.
5 Ways to Teach Gratitude to Kids
1. Role Model Gratitude
The best way to develop an attitude of gratitude in our kids is to demonstrate it ourselves. When we can tell them about moments we’re grateful, like, “When I see the stars, I just like to take a breath and say a little thank you for them” it goes a long way. They’ll observe that this is a normal way to operate, and we all know monkey-see-monkey-do is the way most kids function.
2. Ask Questions
Asking the right questions helps give kids an understanding of the process of developing gratitude. If you ask kids, “What are you thankful for?” you’ll often get a room full of kids saying, “My mom” or “my dog” or “Madden 23.” You can also ask more pointed questions to help them find the small things to be grateful for. Questions like:
- What is your favorite thing about yourself? (example reponse: You’re a good reader? Great! Be grateful!)
- What do you like about your friends? (example response: They make you laugh? You’re so lucky to have friends like that! It’s something to be grateful for.)
- Where’s your favorite place in our home? (example response: You’re bed is cozy? I’m so glad you have a place to be comforted. You can be grateful for that.)
Just be careful not to guilt your kids when you’re responding!
3. Include it in daily life
A natural place to include this in the day is in prayer or at the dinner table. A simple prayer would be, “Jesus, thank you for…” Or, go around the table at dinner sharing something that brightened their day, or just ask, “What are you thankful for?” Often, finding one thing to be thankful for leads to two, to three, and so on, until they have a whole list! If they’re saying they’re thankful for the same thing every day, encourage them to find a small detail. For example, if they are saying they’re thankful for their family, is there a specific person? Or is it the way mom packs the lunch, or dad’s hugs, that they’re particularly grateful for that day?
4. Turn it into volunteering
Is there something they are consistently grateful for? Their pet, their grandma, nature? Can you help them share what they’re grateful for with others? Maybe they can go to a nursing home to visit people without family, or they can make treats for pets at shelters, or they can join in a liter pick-up near you. We feel better when we can share what we’re grateful for with others.
5. Bring it into your environment
Have your kid do an art project about things they’re grateful for. It could be a collage, or they could paint, draw or take photos. Use your creativity! But create a piece of art, or something that reminds them of what they’re grateful for. For example, if they are most grateful for their dog, they could paint a portrait of them and hang it in their room, or the hall. Or maybe take a picture to place in their locker at school, so they can see the dog even if it’s not there!
Bonus- write thank you notes
This is becoming a dying art, and is often reserved only for gift-receiving occasions. But encourage your child to write a thank you note for when someone does something kind for them, or when they just express their appreciation for someone else. It’s going to make both parties involved feel great!
Developing Gratitude in Kids
Teaching gratitude to kids will benefit them over an entire lifetime. It’s a beautiful way to find the good, even in the small things. And it won’t hurt that by teaching your kids gratitude, you’ll probably get a chance to practice gratitude more often as well!
Let me know in the comments below which of the ways you’re going to try and teach gratitude to your kids- or if you have another way that has worked for your family!