Exploring Gratitude with Your Child

Encouraging your child to practise gratitude is a useful way to help them say the positives in their lives, thus promoting an optimistic attitude and encouraging strong relationships. There are lots of ways you can explore gratitude with your youngster, to help them appreciate what they have, as discussed below by a prep school in Chesham.

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Gratitude goes beyond saying thank you, although this is a great first step. Encourage your child to express thanks when someone does something nice for them. They could send thank you cards after their birthday to show their friends that they are grateful they made the effort to attend their party. At the end of the academic year, they could give their teacher some flowers, to say thank you for all their hard work. 

As a parent, it’s vital that you act as a positive role model to your child so that they can learn what’s right and wrong. When teaching your child to be grateful, demonstrate gratitude yourself. Talk about the positive aspects of your day and share things that you’re thankful for, even if it’s something as simple as someone giving you a lift to work or someone else walking the dog for you. Try and shield your child from the stressors of adult life, like bills or meetings at work.

Mealtimes are a great opportunity for your family to sit down together and share some things you’re grateful for. If your child is struggling, ask them if anyone did anything nice for them that day or if they enjoyed a particular activity. The trick is to get them to think about their experiences and relationships, rather than their material objects. 

Perhaps you could practise mindfulness together, as this will help your child focus on the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. As a result, your child will learn to be grateful for things as and when they’re happening, whether it be eating a delicious meal or hugging a loved one.

This is a collaborative post.