Halloween ends, it's usually a downhill slope into Christmas, time moving so fast, you can't keep track of what's happening. The decorations go up and the mad dash of shopping commences. Holiday songs are everywhere. Some folks think it's too early, wait for Thanksgiving. We usually wait til the end of the month to spend time giving thanks.
If you're looking to practice gratitude or show the kids how to practice gratitude, I have some fun activities. Too often, kids will be excited about their gifts for the holidays and can easily lose sight of the important things. Since those gifts really are just things, kids (and adults too), should be able to find happiness in the non-things, as well. The act of showing gratitude has many beneficial aspects to life. It helps to improve sleep, putting your mind at ease and in a relaxed state. Generally, you feel happier, which improves relationships and mental health. You feel less aggressive (an important factor in the hustle and bustle) so you can reduce anxiety. Grateful people are self-confidant and able to have self-love.
 |
Teaching gratitude to kids can be tough. It's a little hard to explain when they want to think in physical terms. I can ask my kids right now what they are grateful for and the first thought would be their phone and iPad. It can take a little digging to get them to think of ways of gratefulness. For this week, I suggest giving them some prompts to help them think of other ways to be grateful.
In the morning, at breakfast, suggest something to be on the lookout for throughout their day. Maybe put a little reminder in their lunchbox. Challenge them to find something that makes them happy that isn't something they can see to touch.
Here's some suggestions:
- Something nice their teacher does for them
- A gift a friend gives them
- A joke they heard that made them laugh
- The treat you gave them for lunch
- A tree that looks particularly nice, noting the various colors
- A new game they learned
- Seeing their pet at the end of the day
- Getting to have their favorite dinner
- Feeling extra happy and what made them feel like that
- Getting rewarded for an accomplishment
- Seeing someone do something nice for someone else
- Seeing someone help another person
- A smell that reminded them of something they love
- Getting to read their favorite book
- Learning something new
- Getting a compliment
 |
When they get home, ask them about their day. Ask them if they found anything to be grateful for. Make sure they describe the details. What did they see, think or feel? If they get in the habit of this every day, it becomes easier for them to find the good. Eventually, they will be able to recall these moments of gratitude quicker and be able to enjoy them in the moment. They can keep a journal to write down the things they were grateful for each day. This can be useful during those moments when they aren't feeling so great. Seeing what they wrote is like giving themselves a reminder how amazing life is.
Don't let this stop with the kids. Us adults need these moments, too! Take a moment each day to remember something that you were grateful for. Write it on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere you can reach for in those times of need.
