Being able to appreciate the good in life and express gratitude on a regular basis is important for a child’s sense of happiness and fulfilment. However, it’s not necessarily something that will come naturally to them, so you should help them practise where possible. I have teamed up with an independent school in Surrey to share some advice on how you can explore gratitude with your child.
Encourage a Gratitude Journal
One great way for your child to become familiar with expressing gratitude on a regular basis is to encourage them to keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day they can jot down a few of the things they’re grateful for, not matter how big or small. Eventually they will start to naturally focus on these things rather than dwelling on things that might not be as good.
Send Thank You Cards/Gifts
Another fantastic way to encourage your child to express gratitude is to get them to send thank you card, or even gifts, where appropriate. For instance, they might want to send card to say thanks to everyone who attended their birthday party or gave them a gift. They might also want to give some flowers to their teacher at the end of the academic year to show they are grateful for all of their support.
Teach Your Child to Empathise
Helping your child consider the perspectives of others is another way you can help them to appreciate how fortunate they are. The trick is to help them think about what another person might be going through or feeling. Perhaps you could encourage them to volunteer for a local charity if they’re old enough.
Give Your Child their Own Responsibilities
By asking your child to help you with various household chores, they will learn to appreciate how much you do for them each and every day. If you do everything for them all the time, it’s unlikely they will feel particularly grateful because they won’t understand the extent of your support.