How to Teach Kids to Be More Thankful People

on the one hand, the cup can be half empty. On the other hand, it can be half full. It all depends on your perspective and the gratitude perspective will always allow a person to see what is good or even great about their situation than to fall into despair or apathy, restlessly wishing life were different. It is therefore vital to teach children from early on the power of gratitude in their own lives, both as an attitude of mind and as an emotional motivator to keep going.

Edit Steps1Help your children to notice and be thankful for all the fun things life has to offer by actively pointing out the wonders around them on a regular basis. Human created things such as tooth fairies, clowns, Santa Claus, bubbles, bubble gum, balloons, jump rope and many others are ideal to begin with. Also focus on nature and help children to see the beauty around them daily, from the birdsong and the trees to the mighty mountains and rivers of their country.2Thank your children when they do something kind or good. Whatever it is, when it's their idea to do something for others, show gratitude for it. Occasionally throw in a free hug and a "Thank you for being you. I love you so much."Model the behavior. Thank your spouse or domestic partner for small kindnesses. Thank relatives, friends, flatmates in front of the children. Especially don't take your nearest and dearest for granted, they may grow up thinking gratitude is only for strangers and that love is expressed by ignoring their closest loved ones or expecting kindness without reciprocation. Go ahead and prompt the kids to thank others for kindness or gifts too. "What do you say when someone's nice to you?" is a good question.Read them stories about gratitude. This carries a much bigger impact than movies and videos, although sharing kid videos is intimate too. There's nothing like a parent's voice to reach a child's heart.3

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