How to Teach Children Gratitude?

The practice of gratitude is very important. It always brings a more positive light on my life when I am intentional about being grateful. I say practice because it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of negativity. I witness it in my children as well. One of the values I am teaching them is gratitude. These are 5 ways of how to teach children gratitude.

List 10 Things They are Grateful for Everyday

One easy way of how to teach children gratitude is by listing out what they are grateful for. I have a notebook dedicated to their gratitude. Each day, together, we write out 10 things we are grateful for. My children get so excited about this because they are having a chance to see all the beautiful things in their life. I notice a positive boost in their attitude after we do it.

Gratitude Games

Our first game is what I like to call Gratitude Animal. We take a stuffed animal and gently toss it to one another stating what we are grateful for about our family members. This builds a bond between siblings and brings down some of the sibling rivalries that naturally happens.

The second game we like to play is a Gratitude Board Game we created together. We take just our little toys for our character and a die and go to that space. We state what it says and move on. Also, everyone wins this game. Everyone has to make it to the finish line to win.

Our third game is Gratitude Dice. We roll the dice and state what we are grateful for by the number associated with the dice. This also helps the younger children to help with their counting skills.

Bedtime Gratitude

Every night before bed and after storytime we state three things we are grateful for that happened that day. This gives us a chance to look back on our day whether it was good or bad and find the positive. This also ends our night routine on a positive note.

Gratitude Jar

Every week everyone writes one thing they are grateful for and put it in a jar. At the end of the week the children help each other read out loud what we were grateful for. I love this because its another way I learn more about my kids and what makes them happy.

Showing Gratitude Toward My Children

This is the most important way of how to teach children gratitude. I am always telling them thank you when they help out and how much I appreciate them. I show them this gratitude through words and actions. Whether its a hug telling them how wonderful they are or letting them get more time with their parents.

What are some ways you teach your little ones gratitude?