Ways to be thankful
FOR many adults, declaring the things they are thankful for comes easily – our health, family, love or maybe a new job.
Teaching kids thankfulness can be a little trickier. But once they are able to understand, they quickly realise the amazing feeling they get from giving back and feeling grateful. There are many fun and interesting ways to teach kids to be thankful.
Thankfulness routine
Start a family ritual of sharing things each family member is thankful for each day, possibly during dinner or before bedtime.
Try to keep the emphasis off material things. Simply ask them one thing they are thankful for that day or week, and discuss why they are grateful.
You could even start a family thankfulness journal, that can be kept through the years and reflected upon.
Be volunteers
Collect food or ask for donations to help the less fortunate. Volunteer your time and energy at charitable organisations. Visit an old folks home.
Thank You postcards
Have your kids write a postcard and send to someone you’re thankful for. This could be a grandparent, aunt, teacher, coach, friend, etc. Include a reason you are thankful for this person.
Join a local charity run
These runs are not only for a good cause, they’re also fun events to get your family involved in and could become an annual tradition.
Be good role models
Make sure you’re modelling the behaviour you want your children to learn. Watching you will help them understand the importance of being thankful. Let them witness you in small gestures such as taking a meal to a family or helping a neighbour.
Consider incorporating some of these ideas into your daily routine so you have a focus on thankfulness every day. Even if you make a daily habit of sharing one thing you’re thankful for each day at dinner, your children will develop the attitude of being grateful for the small things that happen in your daily lives. – Kinsights/Tribune News Service