How to Encourage Kids to be Thankful

November is here, and that means many of us will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on the things we’re thankful for; however, it’s helpful to recognize the good things we have throughout the year. Teaching kids to be thankful builds character and helps them develop a sense of morality, but sometimes teaching younger children about gratitude and thankfulness is problematic because it can be challenging to grasp. Let’s look at why learning about being thankful is necessary and how to communicate this to your children.

WHY BEING THANKFUL IS IMPORTANT

We all know that spoiled child in class or the neighborhood, and maybe your kid is one of them. It’s a normal tendency to want to give your kid everything they want, but overindulging them gives them a sense of entitlement that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Being grateful for the things we have helps us become better humans, so it’s crucial that you instill this in your kids as early as possible.

When kids learn gratitude and being thankful for what they have, regardless of how much or little it seems compared to others, makes them more sensitive to those who don’t have as much, and helps them develop compassion and empathy. In our society where greed and excess are the norms, raising more compassionate, generous, and empathetic people can do wonders for our culture.

Moreover, children who learn thankfulness are less stressed, more positive, and deal with setbacks better than those who don’t.

TIPS FOR TEACHING THANKFULNESS

Now that you know why it’s important to teach your children about being grateful, let’s look at some tips to accomplish it.

Say Please & Thank You

When you teach your kids to say please, you’re teaching them to feel as if they’re not entitled to anything, and instead to ask with humility. Furthermore, teaching them to say thank you instill in them the virtue of being appreciative for whatever good comes their way, whether it be in deed or something tangible like a gift. Additionally, when they get gifts for Christmas or their birthday from family and friends, encourage them to write simple thank you cards or notes to send to the giver letting them know how much they appreciate that they took the time to give.

Help Those Less Fortunate

Whether your family is well-off or not, there is always someone out there who has it worse than you or needs more help. An excellent way to teach kids to be thankful for what they have is to give them opportunities to help those who are less fortunate. This can be giving food to the poor, helping an elderly neighbor shovel snow or mow the lawn, or giving toys to a classmate whose parents can’t afford much.

Volunteer

It’s important for children to recognize people who don’t have the same life they have, and getting them involved in volunteer work is an exceptional way to do this. Whether it’s volunteering at a food bank, a church, or shelter, kids do well when they help others who may be in a bad spot; it helps them appreciate the good things they have.

Be A Role Model

Kids learn a lot from what their parents do and say. So, if you demonstrate gratitude and thankfulness, your children will pick up on it and want to emulate you. For example, if you lose your cool or have a bad temper, there’s a good chance your children will develop the same trait. Consequently, if you exhibit charity, thankfulness, and compassion towards others, your children will learn that as well.

Keep Track Of Things You’re Thankful For

A neat way to help your children think about the things they’re thankful for and to keep it at the forefront of their minds is to track it. Consider making a gratitude jar, and every night before bed, have your kids write one thing they’re thankful for and put it in the jar. The idea is to help them remember all the good that’s come their way and see the jar fill with all the blessings the family has received.

Give Them Chores

It’s important for kids to know how difficult it is to run a household, so it’s good to involve them in daily chores according to their abilities to give them a sense of how hard parents must work to keep everything moving. Giving the kids chores not only teaches them how to be grateful for the hard work their parents do every day, it also teaches them responsibility and teamwork.

Teaching thankfulness is a learned habit, which is why it’s best to start as early as possible. If children get into their teenage years with a selfish and entitled attitude, it can be nearly impossible to correct.

ABOUT US

Kids R’ Kids at Avalon Park has a love for children at our core. Our facility is family owned and operated by residents who are passionate about the betterment of our community. Kids R’ Kids Learning Academies are nationally renowned, and we provide a safe, state-of-the-art learning environment to help our children thrive and prepare for their continuing education journey.

We believe we’re the perfect choice for your child’s early education needs. For more information or to schedule a tour, call us at 407-306-9035 or fill out our online form.