Teaching Children Gratitude

Gratitude is an emotion, an action and a feeling that needs to be experienced, labeled and practiced. It should begin with toddlers and it will then be a life long experience.

Gratitude is more than just saying polite words, although that is a part of the equation. It is a deep appreciation of people, things and experiences. There are simple ways to point out and share things we can be grateful for and hope the emotions will follow. It does take discipline to make gratitude a daily family habit.

It can all start with a list. Parents can begin the day with a list of five things they are truly grateful for and then select one item to share with the child.

The first list comes easy. The fun comes when every day one of the gratitude's needs to be replaced with something new. Most people find that they must start seeking out things to be grateful for so the list can grow and there is always something new to share with the child.

Recently I was impressed with a scene I had the joy of witnessing. I pulled in the driveway and notice a neighbor's three year old child peering out the window. She looked so forlorn and sad. It was raining and she was devastated. I made a mad dash for the house. About ten minutes later little Amanda was in a slicker and boots and was outside jumping in mud puddles with her Dad. Quickly I grabbed the children and we all went puddle jumping. What a beautiful lesson we learned from Amanda's Dad. Gratitude may simply be a matter of perspective. From inside the house it was a miserable day and quickly it was a joy.

Gratitude involves more than just an appreciation. Gratitude needs to be shared to be truly experienced. It is important when a child expresses gratitude that we stop and share in the celebration whenever possible.

Teach children the correct words and then associate them with feelings. Make a direct connection and allow the child to see the connection. Lets look at some specific examples.

"Mom, I found a worm on the sidewalk."
"Wow, aren't we lucky to have seen that worm today. We have great eyes to see fun things. What do you think that worm was doing?"

Later we can reinforce the conversation about the grateful we are that we have fun things to see and eyes to see them with.

"Chelsy, shall we make some cookies and take to them to Grandpa? Do you think he would like that?"
"Chocolate chip?"
"Sure, I think we will have fun and make Grandpa happy to."

Again reinforce the conversation after the cookies are delivered.

Gratitude is not a thought or an idea. It's a way of life.