Psychology research suggests gratitude is frequently associated with greater happiness. Thankful appreciation, or the expression of gratitude, can actually make you a happier person. And we highly recommend working on gratitude for kids!
How to Incorporate Gratitude for Kids
Like most of us, kids need practice expressing gratitude. Here are a few kid-friendly suggestions from Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor at Harvard Health Publishing. Whether you aim to incorporate some of these suggestions before Christmas or make them part of a New Year’s resolution, practice gratitude with your kids until it becomes a regular part of your family’s routine.
- Let your child pick out a few gifts and help you deliver the gifts to a toy drive or shelter.
- Whether you’re ordering your food online or purchasing groceries in person this holiday season, include your child in the purchasing and order or buy extra food. Take the food to a pantry and bring your child along.
- Sit down with your child and have him or her come up with a list of all the people who have been helpful these past few months. Bake cookies or create an art project together and deliver to those special people.
- Make sure that your child always says “please” and “thank you.” It’s a little thing, but it makes a difference.
- When your child is old enough to write thank-you notes, always have him or her write them for any gifts received. If he or she is a little too young for handwritten notes, draw pictures and send those as thank you notes.
- Start giving your kids age-appropriate chores to do when they’re very young. Chores help them become grateful for all the work involved in keeping their home and family together.
- Always take time to share what you are grateful for with your kids. This is a great addition to a bedtime routine!
According to Dr. McCarthy, “You may just find that as you teach your child gratitude, you become more grateful yourself. This is a wonderful way to not only bring your child happiness in life, but also make your life happier, too.”
This holiday season, our Pea Pod family is grateful for you! What are you grateful for?