“A thank you costs you nothing” is such a quotable truth to keep in mind during daily social interactions.
Teaching children and adolescents about gratitude is a much-needed skill to help them build and maintain social relationships at school, at home, and out in the community. It also reinforces a positive, growth mindset and joyful mood by training the brain to look for and identify the good vs. the alternative.
Teaching gratitude also encourages expressing one’s emotions and being vulnerable enough to share with and relate to others. Showing appreciation is also an action that can be much louder than words.
Teaching gratitude is as simple as implementing small daily strategies; just like any habit - bad or good or neutral - it takes consistent practice across days and weeks in order for it to become an automatic response in any situation or season. Such strategies to try out include the following:
Have every family member share out loud during dinner or daily check-ins the best part of their day and an area of improvement or something to learn from:
Example: Asking “How was your day?” vs. “What is your sunshine and cloud for the day? What is your peak and valley for the day? What is your rose and thorn for the day?”
Journal and write down 3 things or people you are grateful and thankful for each day.
Create a ‘Gratitude Jar’ by placing in an accessible area at home (e.g., kitchen, living room) and write or draw one thing on a card or Post-It note each day to fill the jar until it is full; once full, review each item as a family before starting over again.
Write or draw a ‘Thank You’ card to someone for a specific reason.
During car rides, everyone shares one thing or person they are grateful for that day.
Prioritizing teaching and modeling gratitude for kids can make all the difference even during difficult challenges and times: “What is the take-home message? What can you learn from this?” The long and short of it: Grateful kids are happier and healthier and carry the trait and practice into adulthood.
