Thanksgiving is around the corner. It is the time of the year when we express gratitude to our loved ones to strengthen relationships. Expressing gratitude means showing people that you value them. Parents should teach kids gratitude. Always teach your little ones to appreciate little things around them.
When you teach children to be grateful, you also teach them empathy by encouraging them to think beyond their own experiences. They learn that good things come to them out of nowhere but rather as a result of the actions of others.
It is simple to model gratitude and instill a sense of gratitude in the entire family. Here are some fun family activities to get you started:
#1 Express gratitude at the dinner table:
You can teach kids from a young age to thank those who prepared the meal, bought the groceries, grew the food, and so on. You don’t even have to wait for the Thanksgiving holiday to begin. Make it a habit.
#2 Keep a gratitude journal:
A gratitude journal or gratitude book is a fun way to keep track of the good things in your life and reflect on the people and circumstances that enabled them.
At the end of each week, go over your “grateful” with your children and reflect on them. You can fix a time and do this gratitude journal activity with your little ones.
#3 Make a gratitude tree:
Make a tree out of construction paper or any other paper you have on hand and hang it on the wall.
Your children can assist you in designing and coloring it. Next, make some leaf cuts. Every time someone thinks of something new to be thankful for, such as a delicious meal or a beautiful sunny day, write it down and hang it on the tree!
#4 Surprising someone with a gratitude jar is a great idea:
You can also write your “thank you” on slips of paper and place them in a jar to review and reflect on later.
Keep a gratitude jar for specific people as a unique gift idea. Surprise them with a jar full of all the ways you’ve appreciated them that year for their birthday or Thanksgiving. It is one of the most amazing thanksgiving activities that you can try.
#5 Host a thank you note party:
Thank you notes can be a chore, but it is easy if you enlist the help of some friends.
A thank you notes party allows everyone to reflect on how others make our lives better and happier. Hosting a thank-you party on thanksgiving is a brilliant idea.
#6 Collect food for a food bank:
If your family has never experienced food insecurity, donating food to a food bank can serve as a springboard for an important lesson in gratitude in everyday life.
Begin by contacting your local food bank to see what they require. Make a list together with your children.
You can use this time to talk about nutrition, food deserts, why junk food is cheaper than healthy food, and why it can be difficult for low-income families to get nutritious food.
Start a collection in your neighborhood and buy some food for yourself. Then, remember to bring your child along for the drop-off.
#7 Help out a homeless shelter:
Older children may enjoy volunteering at a shelter to help the homeless. Volunteers frequently participate in the following activities.
a) Read a book to kids.
b) Serve meals.
c) Distribute hygiene kits to kids.
d) Fundraising.
You can involve your kids in these activities. Indulging your little ones in these kinds of activities can help them develop empathy.
Takeaway:
Teaching gratitude to your children and family is beneficial. It also contributes to making the world a better place.
Remember that many people volunteer during the holiday season. It’s entirely natural. Many people are thinking about gratitude and giving at this time of year.
However, there is always a need, and your family’s assistance may be more appreciated at other times of the year. You can check out our blog section to learn more about teaching essential skills to kids.
