Teaching Gratitude
Is it possible to change your child’s outlook? Check out these ideas on teaching gratitude to kids.
Is Gratitude Learnable?
People often view gratitude as an innate trait. Either people are born grateful, or they aren’t.
Another view is that gratitude comes from circumstances. If you don’t have a lot, you are grateful to receive what others take for granted.
While both may be true to a certain extent, gratitude is an outlook. And an outlook can be learned.
Just as our perspectives change based on our experiences and education, so can our ability to appreciate what we have.
You can cultivate an attitude of gratitude in kids.
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How to Teach Gratitude
Gratitude is a teachable outlook. It takes time and patience to cultivate, but it is possible to move your child from entitled (or oblivious) to grateful.
Model an Attitude of Gratitude
As the saying goes, “You must practice what you preach.”
You cannot expect kids to be grateful when you don’t model that behavior for them.
Be intentional. Let them hear you thank others.
Be appreciative of what you have. Say it aloud. “This is so delicious! I am so thankful for this hot cup of coffee!”
Acknowledge what is going well in your life. “I am so thankful I can get out into the sunshine every day.”
Be vocal about what you observe, whether it is the kind act of another, nature’s beauty, or a met need.
By exhibiting gratitude yourself, you model it for the children in your life.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Writing in a gratitude journal at the end of each day is a practice that shapes your outlook.
It does not have to take long; even a few minutes will produce results.
Check out this free digital gratitude journal.
Gratitude Jar
You have heard of a suggestion box, so why not a gratitude jar?
Set out slips of paper and a jar.
Each person can jot down people, events, or things they are thankful for. At the end of the week, read them aloud together.
As an alternative, you can adapt this Thanksgiving Gratitude Garland into an anytime gratitude garland.
Gratitude Rituals
You can set aside a specific time each day or each week to share what you are grateful for as a family or class.
This set time makes gratitude a ritual behavior and inspires children to be aware of what they are thankful for.
As an alternative, you can practice a month of gratitude with this heart activity.
Volunteer Together
Gratitude can come from the realization that others are in a place of need.
Volunteer together. Donate toys or books to a local shelter or children’s hospital.
Collect canned goods from neighbors to donate to a local food bank.
Participate in fundraising events like walk-a-thons (or come up with your own).
Not only does this raise awareness and empathy, but it also demonstrates to kids that they can make a difference in the lives of others.
Write Thank-You Notes
Thank you notes are about more than just courtesy.
They teach children to reflect on a gift and express their thanks.
Have your kids write thank-you notes.
You can start by thanking people for concrete items like gifts, but thank-you notes can be more than that.
Who is making a difference in your community? Write a thank you note to that person together.
Who has been a positive influence in your child’s life? Write a note of thanks.
If your child is not a confident writer, you could ask him or her to draw a picture instead.
Perform Random Acts of Kindness
Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand. A grateful heart is inspired to show kindness to others.
Inspire your kids to perform random acts of kindness.
This could be as simple as wheeling in an elderly neighbor’s garbage, picking up trash in a park, or making a meal for a sick friend or neighbor.
These small, concrete acts can be fun for kids to do.
How to Teach Gratitude to Kids
Children grow and mature, learn and develop. They aren’t frozen in time!
You can teach them a growth mindset, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
Likewise, you can teach gratitude to kids.
Follow these tips to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in the children in your life.
