As we enter the giving months, it’s important to teach our preschoolers the value of expressing gratitude. After all, gratefulness is linked to happiness, health, and even success later in life.
The experienced childcare providers at Lit’l Scholars Learning Centers in Salt Lake City, UT, understand that showing thankful behavior can be difficult for young children. We are happy to share four easy ways to encourage gratefulness in your little ones.
These tips will help to get you started.
1. Talk about what it means to be grateful.
Make sure your child understands what it means to feel and express gratitude. You can explain that when we’re grateful, we’re happy for something someone has done or given us, and how we can say “thank you” with our words and actions. You can also talk about how fortunate we are to have the things we do, like a warm home, food to eat, and loving family and friends.
2. Model grateful behavior yourself.
Lead by example. It’s important for kids to see their parents behaving appreciatively. Whenever possible, try to model thankful behavior in your own life. Thank the cashier at the grocery store, write a thank-you note to a relative, or say kind words to a neighbor.
When you experience something good, take a moment to express your gratitude out loud. Explain to your child why you’re expressing gratitude and how good it feels to do so.
For instance, if you receive a compliment from a friend say, “I’m so grateful for my wonderful friends.” If you enjoy a delicious meal say, “I’m so grateful for this delicious food.” Showing your appreciation will help your child understand how easy and rewarding it is to express gratitude.
3. Make expressing gratitude a daily habit.
One of the best ways to help your preschooler express gratitude is to make it a daily habit. You can do this by taking a few minutes each day to talk about things you’re thankful for as a family. You can also encourage your child to express gratitude throughout the day by reminding them to say “thank you” to others.
4. Encourage acts of kindness.
Helping others is a fantastic way to show gratitude. Brainstorm acts of kindness that your family can do together, such as making cards for senior citizens, donating old toys to a children’s hospital, or helping out at a soup kitchen. When kids see how their acts of kindness make other people feel, they’ll start to understand the power of gratitude firsthand.
Teaching preschoolers about gratitude is essential during the giving months and all year round. By talking about gratefulness, modeling thankful behavior, making gratitude a daily habit, and encouraging acts of kindness, you can help your child develop into a compassionate and appreciative adult.
Join other Salt Lake City, UT, parents who have already discovered how Lit’l Scholars Learning Center offers a safe and nurturing environment for their children. If you’re looking for daycare, preschool, or before and after-school programs, contact Lit’l Scholars Learning Centers today.
