12 Gratitude Practices for Kids.
“Happiness might lead to gratitude, but more likely it’s the other way around”
Gratitude comes from happiness or is it the other way around. Happiness comes from being grateful for all that you have and all that you are. Happiness is the love coming from you in the present moment.
In my years of teaching young children, I have noticed that sometimes children don’t know what gratitude is, unless you explain that it means to be thankful. Here are 12 ideas to try with your children to instill gratitude and create happiness. Although practicing gratitude may not solve everything, it’s a place to start.
Say “Thank you” more often
Encourage children to say “Thank You” for things when they receive them by prompting, “Your friend shared his toys with you, what should you say?”
Gratitude Boxes
It's time for a little arts and crafts to be creative, focused, and mindful. Gratitude boxes are a great way to stay grateful and appreciative of others all the time. Leaving little notes for each other to say “thank you” shows appreciation for your family.
Gratitude Boxes
Materials: Tissue or Tea or Shoe Boxes, Markers, stickers, colorful duct tape, Paper and pencils
To Do:
Decorate your boxes anyway you wish,
Leave a hole, space at the top for gratitude notes
Place the Gratitude Box in a special place in the house where everyone can see it
Put notes of gratitude in the box
Choose a day to empty the box and read the notes to the family
Example: "Thank you mom for making a delicious dinner last night!"
Gratitude Journal
Write down 3 things every morning or each night to be thankful for.
Gratitude Stones
Have a special rock, stone, or gem. Place it in their hand and say, “Think of a person, place, or thing that you are very, very grateful for. Picture that person in your mind and send them thoughts of gratitude. Now take your stone in your hands and send those feelings of thankfulness into it. Anytime that you feel sad, or alone, just hold your stone and send Thoughts of Gratitude out again and it will bring you heart joy.”
Keep the stone in a special place to use anytime. Carry it in your pocket, purse, or backpack.
Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Use this list of ideas to go on a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt in Nature
Gratitude Alphabet
Play the Gratitude Alphabet game by starting with the letter ‘A’ and say “I am thankful for Apples!" Then the next person goes and says something that they are thankful that start with the letter ‘B.’ Keep taking turns until all the letters of the alphabet are gone.
Gratitude Books
Gratitude Chain
Use different colors of construction paper and cut them into 1 inch strips. Write down on each strip things to be thankful for in your life and the world. Staple the strips of paper in a chain and hang it up in a central place in the house to look at and think about.
Gratitude Pictures
Draw pictures of things that you have to be thankful for.
Thank You Notes to Family, Friends, Teachers, and Community
Gratitude Vison Board
Use magazines and look for pictures of things you love and are thankful for; food, nature, clothes, books, etc. Then cut them out and place them on a piece of paper or large board to look at each day and think about all the things there are to be thankful for in your life. and in the world
Gratitude Nature Walk
Take a walk in nature and look around noticing all the things to be thankful for; trees, birds, water, rocks, plants, etc. Then say why you are thankful for these things in nature.
More Resources:
Ms. Brandon, RCYT, RYT500, holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Western Carolina University, is a highly qualified educator, and has 20 years' experience working with children and children with special needs. Information for this resource page comes from Ms. Brandon’s 95 hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training RCYS, and is approved by Yoga Alliance.
