November is the perfect time to focus on gratitude, and it’s never too early to start teaching children about thankfulness. Here are some fun and easy ways to cultivate gratitude at home and reinforce what your children are learning at school:
Daily Gratitude Practice:
- Start with a conversation: Explain the concept of gratitude in your own words.
- Ask the daily question: “What are you thankful for today?”
- Document their answers: Write them down or record them. You’ll cherish these memories in years to come!
- Share your gratitude: Respond to each answer with something you’re thankful for. (It’s okay if they say “Oreos” one day – just encourage them to choose something different tomorrow.) Hearing your examples and explanations will help them deepen their own thinking about gratitude.
Fun Ways to Engage with Gratitude:
- Weekly rewards: Motivate daily participation with small rewards.
- Gratitude jar: Decorate a jar and have your child write down things they’re grateful for throughout the month.
- Make it a game: Turn gratitude into a fun family game.
- Read and watch: Explore books and shows about thankfulness, like episodes of Mr. Rogers.
- Family discussions: Talk about gratitude with extended family members.
Even Babies Can Participate!
Even if your little one isn’t talking yet, you can still engage them in conversations about gratitude:
- Ask: “Are you thankful for ______?”
- Then say: “I’m thankful for _______, because ______.”
- These simple interactions strengthen your bond and introduce the concept of thankfulness.
Share Your Child’s Gratitude!
We’d love to hear what your children are thankful for (even the silly things!). We’ll compile a list of responses from our school community and share it with everyone.
