Tag Archives: Thankfulness

The Power of Gratitude: Why Teaching Young Kids to be Thankful Matters

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As a parent, we want to instill positive values in our children, and one of the most important ones is gratitude. Gratitude is the act of being thankful for the good things in our lives, big or small. Teaching young kids about gratitude is crucial because it helps them develop a positive mindset, and studies have shown that practicing gratitude leads to better mental health, stronger relationships, and a happier life. Here’s why teaching young kids about the importance of gratitude matters.

Gratitude promotes happiness and well-being
Research has shown that gratitude can have a positive impact on our overall well-being. A study conducted by the University of California found that people who regularly practiced gratitude reported feeling more positive emotions, had better sleep, and experienced fewer symptoms of illness compared to those who didn’t practice thankfulness. When we teach our kids to be thankful for the good things in their lives, it helps them focus on the positive and build better relationships with their peers.

Gratitude strengthens relationships
Teaching children to express gratitude towards others can help them build stronger relationships with family and friends. It’s important for kids to learn to say thank you when someone does something kind for them. This can be as simple as saying thank you to a teacher for helping them with a project or thanking a friend for inviting them to a playdate. When kids learn to show gratitude towards others, it helps them build empathy and compassion, which are essential for healthy relationships.

Gratitude improves self-esteem
When we practice gratitude, it helps us focus on what we have instead of what we don’t have. This can be especially important for kids who may compare themselves to others and feel like they don’t measure up. Encouraging kids to be thankful for their unique talents and abilities can help them develop a positive self-image and boost their self-esteem.

Gratitude teaches resilience
Life can be tough, and there will be times when things don’t go as planned. However, when we practice gratitude, it helps us focus on the good things in our lives, even during difficult times. When we teach our kids to be thankful for what they have, it can help them develop resilience and cope better with life’s challenges.

So, how can we teach our kids about gratitude? Here are some tips:

Lead by example
Children learn by example, so it’s important for parents to model gratitude in their own lives. Make it a point to express gratitude towards your kids, partner, and others in your life. Let your kids see you say thank you to the cashier at the grocery store or express gratitude towards a friend who helped you out.

Make it a habit
Teaching kids about gratitude is something that needs to be practiced regularly. Make it a habit to ask your kids what they are thankful for each day, and encourage them to write it down in a gratitude journal. This can be as simple as asking, “What was the best part of your day today?” or “What are you grateful for right now?“

Focus on the positive
When teaching your kids, it’s important for you to focus on the positive. Instead of complaining about what you don’t have, focus on what you do have and express gratitude for it. Encourage your kids to do the same.

Teaching young kids about gratitude is an essential part of parenting. Practicing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, stronger relationships, and better mental health. By modeling gratitude in our own lives and making it a regular habit, we can help our kids develop a positive mindset and build resilience for the future.

Suggested reading with your child:

Attitude of Gratitude – Lucky Me

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The concept of gratitude is a powerful one. In fact, thankfulness is a very important character trait to foster in children. Living gratefully encourages kids to cultivate a genuine appreciation for blessings they already enjoy, no matter how big or small. Children sometimes get caught up in wanting more things – more toys, more games, more electronic gadgets. This creates a vacuum of lacking that is difficult to satisfy. A mindful pause every now and then helps us reflect and re-examine this mindset. It inspires a healthy outlook that honours the present moment and reminds us not to take things for granted.

I like the definition of gratitude as stated by Psychology Today:

“Gratitude is an emotion, expressing appreciation for what one has – as opposed to, say, a consumer-oriented emphasis on what one wants or needs. Gratitude is what gets poured into the glass to make it half full. We can deliberately cultivate gratitude and increase our well-being and happiness by doing so. In addition, grateful thinking – and especially expression of it to others – is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy.”

There is no doubt that children’s attitudes can have a huge impact on the overall culture of the classrooms. As teachers, and caregivers, we want to inspire positive attitudes and increase empathy and a sense of community in our classroom. Teaching gratitude is a sure way to do that.

Below is a list of Gratitude-Building Activities, based on my latest picture-book, Lucky Me. Please feel free to download a FREE copy for your personal use at home or in the classroom by clicking on the image on the bottom of the post.

Gratitude Building Activities for Home and School Continue reading →

Thoughtful Holiday Season

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Lora-Mauricio - 0184It’s the most wonderful time of year, indeed.

Many of us now find ourselves singing, whistling, humming along to our favourite holiday tune as we walk around town, excited about the season, the gift-buying, the work parties, often having too many sweets and being covered by the sparkles from all the holiday greeting cards. At home, decorations are up, and plans have been made with family and friends. Kids are ecstatic, the promise of treats, toys, games dancing in their heads.

There is something intoxicating about the holiday season – nothing in the year matches it. No matter your faith, you can find something to celebrate – oftentimes drinking in the joy like a rich, creamy eggnog. But, in the midst of the holiday crowd you can also find pain for many. This time of year can also be a reminder of broken relationships, hard times, less than successful attempts to live the dream of a better life and maybe the empty chairs of loved ones that may have left us too soon.

I recently came across this ad, which struck a cord…

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So how do we create a balance, an equilibrium between the joy in our own lives and the lack thereof in the lives of others? It seems the answer is found in our own communities. Why not find a moment to assist those who cannot respectively share in the holiday cheer. Maybe as we scurry through the grocery aisles picking up all the last trimmings for the our special dinners, grab an extra couple of items for the food banks that, during this time, are often under strain serving our needful communities. After all, what is the holiday season without giving and sharing? It only takes a moment, but it can make a great difference in someone else’s life.

Many years ago a beautiful song came out called, “Do they know it’s Christmas”. It often plays in holiday concerts and festivities around this time of year. There is one particular line that stands out for me, “Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you.” It is a reminder that there is a world outside our window, and it’s not always joyous. It made me think of something we often overlook, especially as we get all caught up in holiday preparations, and that is acknowledging and being grateful for what we have, however big or small. After all, there is always something to be thankful for.

So amidst all the celebration, the family, the music, the presents, the cheer, let’s take a moment and count our blessings, find something to celebrate – whatever it is that completes our little corner of the world.

I am most honoured and excited to introduce my latest picture-book, Lucky Me, which centres around this concept of gratitude, shedding light on all the small miracles that we sometimes forget to be thankful for. I’d love to recommend it to you.

lucky me

 

Lucky Me
Lora Rozler (Author),‎ Jan Dolby (Illustrator)
Fitzhenry and Whiteside (December, 15 2017)

Chapters-Indigo | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

Lucky Me celebrates the concepts of thankfulness as it explores the world with a series of evocative, one line descriptions of situations wherein a child (or adult), might be inclined to thank one’s lucky star. The extraordinary book shares 36 of these celebrations, each exquisitely illustrated by Jan Dolby.

Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you happiness, may it be yours this holiday season. May your days sparkle with moments of love, laughter, and goodwill, and may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Holiday season and a blessed New Year!

Gratefully yours,

Lora