Gratitude is showing our appreciation for all of the good things in our lives. We can be thankful for our belongings, family and our surroundings. Being grateful encourages a positive mind-set and helps children to feel happy and confident and is a great way tool to use if you want to raise an optimistic child.
It is important to teach children gratitude because it helps them learn how to be present, how to handle their emotions and it helps them to build more resilience. All of these skills will set them up well for dealing with life’s challenges. Here are some great tips from an independent school in Hertfordshire on how to explore gratitude with your child…
Be a good role model
One way to explore gratitude with your child is by showing them how. Children learn from their parents, so it is important that you role model a ‘gratitude attitude’ for your child to follow. Try to encourage gratefulness in your daily life, in order for your child to lead a positive and happy life.
Don’t complain
In the busy life of parenting it is hard not to focus on the negatives and get frustrated in front of our children. However, the more you complain, the more likely it is that your children will have the same attitude. Instead, try talking about the good parts of your day and focusing on the positives this will encourage your child to talk about their day in a positive way too.
Show your support
Spend time talking to your child about all the things they can feel thankful for. You should also ask them to open up about their hopes and dreams, and encourage their passions. Discuss what steps they need to take in order to reach their goals and reassure your child that you will be there supporting them, every step of the way!
Practice gratitude
Practise daily gratitude with your child, by helping them to look for all the positives in their life. Gratitude is such an effective technique for improving mental health and maintaining an optimistic attitude. A simple way to practise gratitude with your child is by writing a gratitude journal. You could do this before bed each night. Simply ask your child to write down three things they feel grateful for, or an event or person that made them happy. By opening up these conversations you will also be helping to raise an inquisitive child that in interested in other peoples lives too.
