Thanksgiving is a wonderful reminder to reflect on the things we’re grateful for, but the practice of gratitude doesn’t need to be reserved for one holiday. Teaching children to appreciate what they have, and to express gratitude, can help nurture empathy, resilience, and happiness year-round. For my husband, Steve, and me, helping our toddler daughter understand gratitude has become an important part of our family life. Here are some ideas and practices for encouraging gratitude in children that are fun, easy, and adaptable to any age.
1. Model Gratitude in Everyday Life
Children learn by observing the adults around them, and practising gratitude ourselves sets a powerful example. For Steve and me, it’s about the small, everyday expressions of thanks – whether that’s thanking each other for making a meal, appreciating a sunny day, or simply saying, “I’m so happy we can spend time together.” Our toddler picks up on these cues, and it shows her that gratitude is something to be celebrated.
If you regularly express gratitude in front of your child, they’ll start to see it as a natural part of life. For example, if you’re grateful for a kind gesture, like a friend bringing a meal or a neighbour helping with chores, mention it out loud. These moments teach children to notice the kindness around them and value acts of thoughtfulness.
2. Create a Daily Gratitude Routine
Starting or ending the day with a gratitude practice is a wonderful way to help children focus on the positives in their lives. A gratitude routine can be as simple as talking about one good thing that happened that day. Steve and I have started incorporating this into our bedtime routine with our daughter, encouraging her to share something she enjoyed about the day, like playing with her toys or seeing her grandparents. It’s a gentle, age-appropriate way to help her develop a habit of gratitude.
For older children, you might introduce a gratitude journal where they can write down three things they’re thankful for each day. Journals allow children to reflect quietly and give them something they can look back on, which can be especially helpful on tough days.
3. Use Stories and Books to Highlight Gratitude
Stories are a powerful way to teach gratitude, as they allow children to connect with characters and understand different perspectives. Books about thankfulness, kindness, and giving can provide memorable lessons. Some popular choices include The Thankful Book by Todd Parr, Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, and Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. These stories illustrate the value of appreciating what you have and seeing the world with a grateful heart.
When reading to our daughter, Steve and I ask simple questions like, “How do you think the character feels when someone is kind to them?” or “What would you feel if someone shared with you?” This helps her understand the concept of gratitude and how it makes people feel good, reinforcing positive emotions around it.
4. Encourage Acts of Kindness
Gratitude and kindness often go hand in hand. By encouraging children to perform small acts of kindness, we can help them understand the positive impact of generosity and how it feels to be appreciated in return. Simple gestures, like sharing toys, making a card for a friend, or even helping tidy up, can be great for showing young children the importance of kindness.
In our family, we often encourage our daughter to help us with simple tasks, such as putting toys away or handing us ingredients while cooking. When she completes these tasks, we thank her, emphasising that her help means a lot to us. These little moments help her feel valued and appreciated, teaching her that even small acts of kindness are worth celebrating.
5. Use a Family Gratitude Jar
Creating a family gratitude jar is a fun, interactive way for everyone to get involved in practising gratitude. Each family member can write down something they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and add it to the jar. Over time, the jar fills with happy memories, funny moments, and kind thoughts that can be revisited whenever anyone needs a little pick-me-up.
In our home, Steve and I keep the gratitude jar in the kitchen, and we add a note whenever something lovely happens – like a sunny afternoon in the garden or a kind gesture from a friend. For our toddler, we ask her what she liked most about the day, and we add it on her behalf. Reviewing these notes together every month or so becomes a heartwarming activity that brings smiles to our faces.
6. Practice Saying “Thank You” Regularly
Saying “thank you” is a simple habit that helps children recognise and express appreciation. Teaching them to say “thank you” for both gifts and everyday gestures, like a friend sharing a toy or a sibling lending a helping hand, helps foster gratitude.
Our family has been learning British Sign Language, and we’ve incorporated this into our gratitude practice. Our daughter routinely signs “thank you” whenever she gives us something or when we give something to her. This small gesture has become second nature to her, showing how expressions of gratitude can be woven naturally into everyday interactions.
7. Celebrate Giving Back Together
Participating in acts of giving back is a powerful way to cultivate gratitude. Simple acts like donating toys, helping a neighbour, or volunteering as a family help children understand that they have the ability to make a positive difference. They see how others can benefit from kindness, reinforcing their appreciation for what they have.
Around holidays or birthdays, Steve and I involve our daughter in selecting toys or clothes to donate. Though she’s young, explaining that some children don’t have as many toys helps her begin to understand the concept of giving. It’s a gentle way to show that we can share our blessings and that doing so feels wonderful.
8. Teach Gratitude with Nature
Nature provides countless opportunities to instil gratitude. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s a walk in the park, a family picnic, or exploring a forest, can help children feel a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them. Encouraging them to notice the beauty in nature helps them value life’s simpler pleasures.
We often take our daughter on nature walks, pointing out things like colourful leaves, birds, and flowers. Steve and I talk about how lucky we are to enjoy these natural wonders, and it’s inspiring to see her start to notice and appreciate them, too. Teaching children to value nature nurtures a lasting sense of gratitude for the world.
Conclusion
Teaching children gratitude is about more than just saying “thank you.” It’s about fostering an attitude of appreciation, empathy, and kindness. Simple practices, like sharing family gratitude routines, encouraging acts of kindness, and enjoying nature together, make gratitude a joyful and natural part of life. As Steve and I continue to incorporate these practices with our daughter, we see her developing a deeper sense of appreciation and empathy.
Gratitude is a gift that benefits the entire family. By helping our children embrace gratitude, we nurture their happiness, build strong family connections, and cultivate a sense of positivity that will serve them well for years to come.
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