Feature: Thanks A Lot! Cultivating Gratitude in Children
Cultivating Gratitude in Children By Heather Lee Leap
Got ungrateful kids, or just hoping to start them off right when it comes to appreciating the big. . . or little things in life? Kids learn through modeling and repetition, and gratitude is no exception. In their book, “Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character” (Templeton Press, 2014), Jeffrey J. Froh and Giacomo Bono note that young children first practice thankfulness as politeness, rather than genuine gratitude, which comes when they are old enough to appreciate why others are offering them kindness. The words “please” and “thank you” are building blocks of gratitude and for many of us they come easily when our children are learning to talk. If your kids are a bit older though, take a day to observe your interactions, not just with your children, but with everyone you speak with. How often do you use the “magic” words? Looking for more ways to instill an attitude of gratitude in your little ones? Here are a few to consider.
Roses and Thorns Sometimes called simply “Highs and Lows,” this is a practice of each participant sharing one positive thing and one negative thing that happened during the day. Consider offering roses last in order to end on a positive note, or up your gratitude game by taking time as a family to consider what good may have come from the “thorns.” Don’t forget to express thanks for the people with whom you can share these highs and lows. continued on page 20
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Vancouver Family Magazine • www.vancouverfamilymagazine.com • November 2018