Exploring Gratitude with Your Child – Gratitude is basic manners and shows others that you care and appreciate them. It’s something that your child will need to be taught and is easily done through getting them in the habit of saying thank you. Aside from being common courtesy, studies suggest that taking time to explore gratitude and what they have to be thankful for can actually help children to feel confident and excel at school.
The idea is that by acknowledging what they have, they feel loved, develop stronger relationships and benefit from improved self-esteem. There are lots of ways that you can explore gratitude and we cover a few in this blog that were shared with us by an independent school in Berkshire.
Exploring Gratitude with Your Child – Journaling
A journal is a personal keepsake and a place where your child can record their day, thoughts and feelings. It can encourage them to take the time to think about those in their life and the goodness that’s come their way. While it is more personal, it’s still a way that your child can explore gratitude.
Exploring Gratitude with Your Child – Thank You Cards
To really make someone feel appreciated, your child could write them a card or letter sharing how much their act of kindness meant to them. Teachers are unsung heroes and do so much for the children they teach. Receiving a thank you card would make their day and is something that you could get your child to do at the end of term or the school year.
Exploring Gratitude with Your Child – Returning the Favour
As a gesture your child may also want to return a favour and help those around them. It shows appreciation and also teaches them about the importance of helping others.
Exploring Gratitude with Your Child – Giving Things Away
We’re awfully lucky to have the things that we have and some aren’t as fortunate. Giving away their old belongings to those who need them is a good way for children to understand how privileged they are and appreciate what they have.
*Collaborative post