Thanksgiving has come and gone. Maybe you took the time for some intentional gratitude activities for kids (along with the adults in your family – we need that too). As often happens, by the time Thanksgiving evening rolls around, you find that Black Friday and Cyber Monday beckon, turning thoughts of gratitude into thoughts of Give-me-tude.
When you’re trying to teach your children about gratitude, it can be hard. They don’t always understand the concept and they definitely don’t think about it in a way that makes sense to an adult. You want them to know how important it is, but you also want them to understand the value of expressing thanks for everything in their lives.
You also know, gratitude doesn’t always come easy, especially in a culture as fast-paced, highly-marketed to, and quick-spending as the United States of America.
Keep It Simple
Simple can serve as your ally here. Below are some ideas on how to make “gratitude” more meaningful for kids all year long.
- Make a list of things that the family is grateful for and share it at dinner time
- Find ways to help others – volunteer at a soup kitchen or donate clothes to charity
- Start a gratitude jar where everyone writes down one thing they are grateful for every day
- Read books together about gratitude, such as The Thank You Book by Mo Willems or The Gratitude Jar by Monica Wood
- Have conversations about things that have made you happy recently, even if it’s just watching TV together as a family on Sunday night!
- Plan an outdoor activity with your kids like hiking or going to the park – make sure this includes lots of opportunities to take pictures and be outside!
- Have kids write thank you cards to people in their lives that they are grateful for
- Go outside and pick up trash or weeds, then make it into something beautiful like an arrangement or collage
- Write down what you’re grateful for at night before bed; read it aloud with your family during breakfast
- Start a new tradition – every Thanksgiving or Christmas or New Year’s Eve, fill out an index card with one thing that went well during the year and put it under your plate (or vice versa) so you’ll always remember how much good there is in life!
Inspire Gratitude
One of the best ways to inspire gratitude in your children is by modeling it yourself. All year long, there are opportunities for you and your kids to practice being grateful with simple gratitude activities for kids and the whole family that don’t cost a dime.
For instance, plan a family dinner night where everyone has an opportunity to share what they’re thankful for this week. Make sure you show up prepared too!
Or use each day as an opportunity to do something kind or positive together–be mindful about picking up trash on the way home from school or stopping at a bakery during lunch break so everybody can have their favorite treat will work wonders.
It’s not always easy but even if you only focus on one thing every day, it is sure to make a positive difference for years to come.
Dr. Andrea Wadley is a pediatrician located in Dallas/Fort Worth serving families with pediatrician house calls. As a wife and mother, her posts are written with parents in mind, whether you need help with a picky eater, need to find places where kids eat free, or want to know more about topics like breastfeeding and lactation.
© 127 Pediatrics, December 2021
