Teaching Children Gratitude Part 2

Helping the children in our lives to express appreciation from an early age is a gift that will bring them abundance throughout their lives.

In Part 1 of this blog, we discussed nature as a doorway to nurturing appreciation in children. Here, we will talk more about care, affection and compliments as other gratitude practices.

Care is an Important Aspect of Appreciation

Help your child take care of their things.
Teach them to respect their belongings and the property of others.
Demonstrate an attitude of thankfulness for what you have and for your life together.
Acknowledgements, celebrations and shared reflection are simple ways to express your gratitude.

Teach Your Child How to Give & Receive Compliments

This skill will help them to appreciate others & to feel appreciated as well.

Sincerity is the key to giving compliments.
Voicing appreciation is usually best simply stated.
A true compliment comes from the giver’s heart & impacts the receiver’s heart.
Compliments are often remembered long after they are spoken.
They can lift, heal, and inspire great things.

Affection is a Powerful Way to Express Appreciation

Hugs, kisses and loving words show your child how much you value him and others. Simple thank-yous given often and sincerely introduce your child to the graciousness of appreciation. There is no more powerful teacher than your own example!

Older school age children can begin to show appreciation in more tangible ways. It is important to foster the development of gratitude in order to keep your youngster’s heart open at a time when many around them are “shutting down” in this way.

Provide your child with a journal of their own.
Prompt them to write thank you notes
Get them involved in volunteering.

Again your own appreciation and how you show it will be the best teacher for your child. Know that how you view and respond to the world around you and the life you live will be the critical factor in opening your child’s heart to appreciation.

One of the most powerful ways to teach kids gratitude is to be an appreciation role model. Children watch adults closely. They learn just as much if not more by what we do than what we say. When we appreciate the beauty of nature, take care of our things, show affection, and give sincere compliments, we are showing our kids what it is to be an appreciator. Above all, be sure to let all of the children in your life know that they are appreciated. After all, what is appreciated, appreciates!