Teaching Children Gratitude

Gratitude is appreciating what we have been given and is one of the core values that is a strength of the heart.

Gratitude also facilitates self-control that can play a significant role in learning and achievement for children.Helping children appreciate what they have now will forge a stronger bond with their future selves.

When we feel gratitude, we feel a sense of abundance. When we express gratitude, especially when it is heartfelt, we strengthen our relationships with others. Grateful people are happier and more fulfilled. It makes us more cooperative, patient and trusting. The studies done in psychology on gratitude shows that it works miracles. When we show our appreciation to someone, both the sender and the receiver feel wonderful afterwards.

How do we get our children to express gratitude?
The most important aspect is modelling. When we as adults are more grateful and show it in our behavior children will soon follow. Hence an excellent place to start with gratitude is to practice it ourselves.

Encourage children to say thank you to others more often.
Invite children to do something nice for others, to show their appreciation.
Help them list people and things in their life that they are lucky to have.
Make them feel a sense of thankfulness. Writing and delivering a gratitude letter to someone we have never properly thanked.

As adults, we can talk about the good things that happen to us and highlight those to our children. Reframe difficulties by highlighting positive aspects.
At dinner, make it a habit to begin by sharing one good thing that happened that day.

Establish a birthday ritual to write notes of appreciation. Show appreciation and thanks to those who do all our little jobs. Our helpers and our maids. When we thank them and are grateful for their service, our children are closely watching and will do the same.