Raising Grateful Kids: 7 Easy Ways to Cultivate Thankfulness

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Happy Children’s Day to all Nigerian children as they celebrate this year’s (May 27th) Children’s Day, from all of us at Noble Solutions: The Solutions Hub. Teaching children gratitude is a wonderful way to help them develop a positive attitude in life and appreciate the people and things that matter to them. There are many activities and strategies that you can use to help your children practice gratitude regularly. Here are some examples:

1. Teach Them to Say Thank You

Encourage your children to say “thank you” whenever someone does something nice for them, such as giving them a gift, a compliment, or a helping hand. You can model this behaviour by saying thank you to your children and others. Saying thank you is a simple but powerful way of expressing gratitude and showing mutual respect. 

2. Teach Them to Practice Gratitude Meditation

Teach your children to practice gratitude meditation, which involves focusing on the things they are grateful for in the present moment. Guide your children to close their eyes, breathe deeply, and think of one person or thing they are grateful for. Have them say silently or aloud, “I am grateful for...” and repeat the name of the person or thing. You can do this for a few minutes or as long as you like.

3. Teach Them to Write Gratitude Letters

Have your children write letters, cards, SMS, or emails, expressing their gratitude to important people in their lives, such as family members, friends, or teachers. Encourage them to be specific and sincere about what they appreciate about the person and how they make them feel. Help them deliver or send the letters and see the joy they bring to the recipients and themselves.  like in the law of reciprocity, you can’t put joy on someone’s face and not experience the same level of joy.

4. Teach Them to Perform Acts of Kindness

Another way to show gratitude is to do something nice for someone else, such as helping with a chore, sharing a toy, giving a hug, or making a gift. This can help your children learn to be generous, compassionate, and empathetic. this can also make them feel good about themselves and their actions.

5. Teach Them to Compliment Others

Teach your kids the importance of using nice words and complimenting others. The Bible in Colossians 4:6 says “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  According to John Mason, “A compliment is like verbal sunshine”. Make them understand that good words are worth so much but cost so little to give and giving them can save you so much cost beyond the mutual joy it brings.

6. Teach Them to Keep a Gratitude Diary  

Have your children write or draw something they are grateful for daily in a gratitude diary (dedicated notebook). This can help them focus on the positive aspects of their lives and reflect on the reasons why they are thankful. You can also do this activity together as a family and share your gratitude.  Set a day of the week preferably weekends that you take a few minutes or hour(s) to compliment and show your gratitude to one another.  Make the exercise fun and memorable for the kids to make them always look forward to it

7. Teach Them to Reminisce About Good Memories

A songwriter said “Count your blessings one by one…” Help your children feel grateful by recalling and talking about happy and meaningful moments in your lives, such as a fun vacation, a birthday party, or a special achievement. Use photos, videos, or souvenirs to help you remember and relive the experience. This can help your children appreciate the past and the present and strengthen your family bond.

Benefits of Teaching Children Gratitude

i. Improves Their Happiness and Well-Being

Grateful children are often happier and more content with their lives. By focusing on the positive aspects of their experiences, they develop a sense of fulfilment that can significantly boost their overall well-being.

ii. Strengthens Their Relationships

Gratitude is a powerful tool for building and nurturing positive relationships. Children who express gratitude tend to be more empathetic, understanding, and considerate of others. This leads to stronger and more harmonious relationships with peers, family members, and friends.

iii. Teaches Them How to Navigate Challenges

Life is filled with ups and downs, and children need to learn how to navigate the challenges that come their way. Gratitude helps them develop emotional and physical resilience by teaching them to find silver linings even in difficult situations.

iv. Reduces Depression and Anxiety

Gratitude is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety in children. It acts as a protective shield, equipping children with the tools they need to cope with stress and maintain good mental health.  Children who have things they are grateful for now that even if an aspect of their life is not working as they want, other aspects are, which gives them hope that what is not yet working will still work.

v. Enhances Their Academic Performance

Gratitude isn’t limited to personal relationships; it extends to other aspects of life, including academics. Grateful children tend to be more motivated and engaged in their studies, often resulting in better academic performance.

vi. Puts Less Importance On Material Stuff

In a world where materialism often takes centre stage, gratitude helps children appreciate the non-material aspects of life, such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth. It fosters a sense of contentment that is not dependent on possessions.

vii. Fosters Important Values

Gratitude is closely linked to important values like generosity, humility, and kindness. By practising gratitude, children are more likely to exhibit these virtues in their interactions with others.

viii. Promotes Mindfulness

Gratitude encourages children to be mindful and present in the moment. It teaches them to pay attention to the positive aspects of their lives, promoting mindfulness as a valuable life skill.

Conclusion

The importance of gratitude cannot be overstated as its benefits impact both the giver and the receiver. These are some ways to practice gratitude, but you can also find ways that suit your preferences, personality, and culture. The key is to be sincere, specific, and consistent in your gratitude practice. By doing so, you can enjoy the many benefits of gratitude, such as improved happiness, well-being, relationships, academic performance, and reduced depression and anxiety.

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FAQs

Why is it important to teach children gratitude?

Teaching children gratitude is important because it can lead to increased happiness, better relationships, and improved mental health. Grateful children tend to be more empathetic and resilient, and they develop a positive outlook on life..

At what age should you start teaching kids about gratitude?

You can start teaching kids about gratitude as early as toddlerhood. Simple acts like saying "thank you" and encouraging sharing can lay the foundation for more complex understandings of gratitude as they grow older.

How do you explain gratitude to a child?

Explain gratitude to a child by talking about recognizing and appreciating the good things in their lives. Use age-appropriate language and examples, like being thankful for a favourite toy or a fun day with family.

How can parents model gratitude for their children?

Parents can model gratitude by regularly expressing thanks, showing appreciation for others, and practising gratitude in their daily lives. This might include thanking children for their help, discussing what they are thankful for, and showing appreciation for everyday conveniences and privileges.

Can gratitude improve a child’s mental health?

Yes, gratitude can improve a child’s mental health by fostering positive emotions, reducing stress, and increasing overall happiness. It helps children focus on positive experiences, which can lead to better emotional regulation and resilience.

Why bother to teach children gratitude?

Gratitude fosters happiness, strengthens relationships, and promotes overall well-being in children.

What are the other benefits of raising grateful kids?

Grateful children are more content, less materialistic, and show greater empathy towards others.

What if my child complains a lot?

Help them identify the positive aspects of a situation. Practice reframing complaints into opportunities for gratitude.

Are there any resources available to help me teach gratitude?

Yes! Many websites and books offer activities and tips for raising grateful kids. One such book is Mistakes of Esau: 10 Harmful Habits That Ruin People's Destiny,  a whole chapter is dedicated to the subject of gratitude and thankfulness. You can also find helpful resources at these websites; hopkinsmedicine.org, louadventures.com, superpowerkids.net, psychologytoday.com, aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au, verywellmind.com, mcc.gse.harvard.edu, thesavvysparrow.com, news.sanfordhealth.org

How can I make gratitude a habit for my family?

Make gratitude a habit for your family by incorporating it into daily routines, like sharing thanks at dinner or bedtime. Create a gratitude jar or journal, and make it a fun, collaborative experience.

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