Whenever we practice gratitude it does many positive things for us. We have more positive emotions, we feel more alive, express more kindness and compassion, and even sleep better and can ward off disease more effectively! Learning to be grateful starts early with our children. By being grateful children can enhance their well-being, to learn to be more resilient, and have a positive outlook on life.
The following two activities for children from Positive Psychology.com help to teach early learners to incorporate gratitude into their lives:
The ABCs of Gratitude.
Have your child sit comfortably and close their eyes. Tell them to list things they are grateful for, beginning with “A” and working all the way through the alphabet to “Z.” Don’t be surprised if this exercise gets a little silly—it’s bound to get silly at some point, so just embrace it and enjoy the laughter with your child!
Bedtime Thank Yous.
Help your child to think of happy things that happened to them during their day. They can simply say these things aloud, write them down in a journal, draw a picture of them, or simply think of them. This exercise can ensure that your child drifts off to sleep with a heart full of love and gratitude.