November is National Gratitude Month and the perfect opportunity to discuss gratitude and goodwill with your little ones. Luna the moon is eternally grateful for the places she goes and the people she meets along the way.
Gratitude comes from the word ‘grateful’ which is defined as being “appreciative of the benefits received” (Merriam-Webster). As parents, grandparents and guardians, it is your responsibility to teach your child about gratitude and how to appreciate the things they have and the people who give them these things. This can be a challenging task, but also an extremely important one in your journey to raising compassionate, respectful young citizens.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina believe children begin to develop the skills and knowledge they need to understand gratitude at roughly three to five years old. But, how exactly do you teach gratitude?
Start with teaching your little one to say ‘thank you’ when something is given to them. As they start to progress cognitively, they will begin to understand the correlation between receiving something and being grateful upon receiving it.
Children learn by example, so it is important you exemplify gratitude so that your child can pick up on these cues. From a birthday gift, to the dinner that is on the table, witnessing the appreciation of things can spark a child’s mind and understanding.
There are many other ways you can work towards a more grateful attitude with your little one, such as encouraging them to reflect on their day through verbal communication or journaling, or asking them to say what they’re grateful for before a meal. Gratitude is not something learned overnight, so it’s critical to remember that the process will take time.
Be sure to head on over to @LetsGoLunaHQ on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tell us about your gratitude traditions and teachings!
Until our next travel adventure…