How to Teach Children Gratitude

Gratitude seems to be sadly lacking in our society. Too often it's not just the children who are missing an attitude of gratitude. Sometimes adults get caught up in the fast pace of everyday life and forget to use even the simplest expressions of gratitude.

Instructions

    • 1

      Let your children see you being thankful in everyday life in order to teach them gratitude. Children truly do "learn what they live." If your children see and hear you express gratitude as a natural habit of life, they'll pick up on that. Be sure to express your thanks to the waitress, the store clerk or the bank teller. "Thank you" is an expression of only two words. Those two words can never be overused.

    • 2

      Teach your children that they do not need to always get everything their hearts desire. Children who are allowed to buy a toy every time they enter a store have a tendency to grow up without a grateful attitude. This is especially true if the child never has to earn any money to buy what he wants for himself. Too often, a child's room is stacked with more toys than they ever play with, yet parents continue to buy more each time they shop.

    • 3

      Require your children to write thank-you notes. This is a habit that never goes out of style. After a birthday or holiday, sit down with your children and teach them the art of expressing gratitude. The note doesn't have to be long. If your child can't write yet, you write the note and let her write her name. He can draw a little happy face or some other picture if he can't write his name yet. Decorative stickers for children to stick on the note add a nice touch.

    • 4

      Point out things to be thankful for in everyday life in order to teach children gratitude. A home to live in, food to eat and a bed to sleep in are things that shouldn't be taken for granted. Take your children with you to visit the sick. Do a family ministry project for the homeless during the holidays. Provide toys for needy children. Teach children gratitude by allowing them to see that there are people in need of help and teach your children to share what they have.

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