Encourage your child to write down or draw things they are grateful for. Ask your child to practice saying thank you as a part of their regular routine. After receiving something from someone, encourage your child to express their gratitude by saying thank you and that they appreciate it. It’s also helpful to encourage them to write thank you notes.
Helping others is a great way to build gratitude. Encourage your child to volunteer, donate to a charity or perform simple little acts of kindness such as helping a sibling or offering a neighbor to help them do yard chores. Highlight the good things that happen each day, no matter how small. It is important to focus on the positives.
Include sensory friendly gratitude activities in your child's schedule. Consider sensory activities that can be included into your child's sensory diet. Your child's occupational therapist may have some great ideas for you. Experience gratitude for nature by enjoying a nature walk or creating a meal and expressing gratitude for the food. Encourage your child to celebrate all their success, no matter how small. This could be completing something that was challenging, learning a new skill or overcoming a fear.
Encourage your child to keep a gratitude journal. Sometimes writing in a journal each day can be overwhelming and once a week or every few days may be better for some children. Your child may also require some assistance to write or have someone do it for them. Write down three things they are thankful for. This could be anything from a new toy, to a good grade they received on a test or having a really great day. This will help children focus on the positive aspects of their life.
Start a new family tradition with a gratitude circle. When your family are all together for a meal you, start or end the meal with a gratitude circle. This is when each person shares something they are grateful for about someone else in the circle. This fosters gratitude and also encourages positive feedback and appreciation with other family members.
Getting your child involved in volunteer work in your community at a local shelter, organization or food bank will help them see the challenges others face and can profoundly impact a child's perspective. These experiences can make a child feel appreciative of their own circumstances and what they have.
When you are done watching a movie or get home from a community event, discuss what characters or people may be grateful for. This can be a great way to openly discuss gratitude.
Be patient and understanding because learning gratitude takes time and children with sensory differences may require more time and patience. Praise their efforts and mention you noticed when they are practicing gratitude and avoid putting pressure on them.
When a child has a grateful heart, they can experience so many benefits that come with it. By nurturing gratitude in children, you are teaching them a powerful tool that will help them get through some of life's challenges. Children who practice gratitude tend to experience greater happiness and optimism, develop stronger relationships with others, cope better with stress and show increased empathy and kindness.
Remember to be patient, understanding and adapt different gratitude techniques based on each child's unique needs and learning style. With a consistent effort, you can help your child to be more grateful.
