Growing Gratitude In Our Child
GRATITUDE: The state of being grateful : A strong feeling of appreciation for what one receives, whether tangible or intangible.
Holiday season is here, beginning with Thanksgiving just a few days away. If you celebrate this holiday, you know it to be a day of togetherness with family and or friends, deliciousness and gratitude. And for some, it’s a day to give back and volunteer.
Gratitude is an emotion; a feeling. It’s an appreciation for what we have rather than what we want. It’s a passive or active action that grows contentment from the inside out. We acknowledge the goodness in our life. Research shows that people that experience and express gratitude have happier, more fulfilled lives
When we experience gratitude, science has shown that this emotion unlocks many benefits:
Gratitude improves mental and physical health:
Gratitude strengthens and bonds relationships
Gratitude can decrease depression and anxiety
Gratitude increases positivity and work productivity
“When I started counting my blessings my whole life turned around.”
-Willie Nelson
More and more studies are showing the beneifts an attitude of gratitude has on chilrden. Growing and cultivating gratitude in our child has the same if not more profound results!
Children who are given opportunities and activities to express their gratitude show:
Improved sleep
Less stress
Lower rates of depression
Less aggressive behavior
Improved resilience and higher tolerance for frustration
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude in children takes time and of course, some maturity, understanding where they are in their child development, and modeling our own gratitude. It starts with us. Positive parenting includes gratitude. Express your gratitude and thankfulness for the little things that mean a lot: the time they held the door open for you, when they showed kindness and kissed your boo boo or offered to bring you a bandaid, or watched their younger sibling while you took a shower.
There are many ways we can begin to put in place family gratitude rituals:
Establish regular gratitude rituals within the family. This can be done during dinner, before bedtime, or at any other convenient time. Even the youngest of children can be given an opportunity to express their thankfulness, and we graciously accept what they say. It’s common for three and four year olds to be thankful for ice cream, candy, their toys and dinosaurs. You’ll hear big changes in their gratitude over time.
Gratitude Journal:
Encourage children to keep a gratitude journal. Provide them with a notebook where they can write or draw things they are grateful for. We can make it a habit for them to reflect on their day and identify positive aspects.
Gratitude Jar:
Create a gratitude jar for the family. Whenever someone feels grateful, they can write it on a small piece of paper and put it in the jar. Periodically, take time to read these notes together as a family.
Positive Reinforcement:
Reinforce and praise expressions of gratitude. When you notice your child expressing thanks or showing appreciation, acknowledge and praise their behavior. Positive reinforcement helps to strengthen the feeling of gratitude.
Storytelling:
Use stories and books to teach gratitude. Discuss the stories with your child and relate them to real-life situations. There are many books for all ages. A Little Thankful Spot, Gratitude Is My Superpower for preschoolers and Hello Universe is a great chapter book for older kids.
Random Acts of Kindness:
Encourage children to perform acts of kindness and express gratitude through actions. This could be as simple as helping a friend, sharing toys, or writing or drawing thank-you notes. Discuss the impact of these actions on others.”Jenny, next door, is home sick. Let’s bring her trash can out to the curb for her.”
Volunteering and contributing towards helping others, teaches.
Say Thank you often and express your gratitude for the many small moments and actions that mean a lot.
“I was running late and you waited for me to have dinner. Thanks so much! I really wanted to eat with you tonight.”
Model the behavior, emotions and actions you wish to teach your child.
Ask yourself, '“Am I modeling gratitude and am I showing my attitude of gratitude?”
Cultivating gratitude is an ongoing process, and it's essential to be patient and consistent in these practices. By incorporating these into your family routine, you can help instill a sense of gratitude in your children that can positively impact their outlook on life.
