Today we’re going to talk about five simple strategies for teaching gratitude to elementary students.
Given everything that’s been going on in the world and all of the negative news that we’ve been inundated with, it’s important for us to teach gratitude to our students.
Gratitude helps them focus on and be thankful for the good in their lives.
In a busy world, where we take so many things for granted, it gives our children a moment to pause, breathe and notice the beauty that surrounds them.
When children are surrounded by this form of positivity, their sense of happiness, hope, patience and self-control increases. This provides them with the basis to manage their emotional and physical health.
Teaching gratitude clearly has many benefits so let’s look at different ways to teach it to our children.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Love Nature
Take your children out on a nature walk and have them make note of what they’re seeing, thinking and feeling. They don’t need to write it down but can think about it instead.
As they make note of different things in nature, ask them to say a quiet thank you.
You may also consider sitting down in a circle somewhere on a grassy patch and talking about what they noticed. They can all say thank you after.
If you want to take this a step further, you may have them write down their thoughts, feelings and what they’re grateful for in a journal.
#2. Gratitude Challenge
Between now and thanksgiving, have your children perform acts of kindness in nature or for those who aren’t their close friends.
They can say “thank you” to a customer service representative, help clean up the beach, or write thank you letters to friends.
#3. Gratitude Book
Create a book as a class and have your children write down what they’re grateful for on a particular day. This isn’t always easy for young ones, so using prompts, such as the following resource will help your children focus on a specific concept.
#4. Thankful Activity
Delve deeply into the meaning of gratitude by engaging in thanksgiving art and literacy activities. They can reflect on this concept while building their vocabulary so that they can openly discuss it with their peers.
#5. Be Supportive
Contribute items or cash donations to a charity of your choice. Children can donate what they already have or purchase new items. They could fundraise by asking their family members and neighbors. You could also host a bake sale as a class.
This form of gratitude enables your children to see the good in their lives so that they can give to those who are in need.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reasons why teaching gratitude to children is important.
- We looked at five strategies for teaching it to elementary students: love nature, gratitude challenge, gratitude book, thankful activity, and be supportive.
- How to implement each of the strategies.
Free Resources:
In the mean time, if planning so that you’re ahead is not your jam, then check out the following: FREE MASTERCLASS: Systematic Plan to Super Passionate.
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte