5 Simple Ways To Teach Gratitude To Your Children

At a time when kids of well-off families bring their $600 phones to school, teaching gratitude to children becomes a daunting task. There are times when a child becomes obsessed with a new toy or a gadget, making desperate pleas to their parents for it--a sign that they have started measuring a parent's love by gifts--and that is the red flag for the caregivers.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies concluded that gratitude is tied to the happiness of children until the age of 5. Suffice to say, a child that learns to be happy with what they have grows up to be a far happier individual than the one who tries to find happiness in only material possessions. But, some parental experiences are universal--every parent fights an uphill battle to instill gratitude in their children and failing to do so can impact the child's mental health.

In this era of instant gratification and overindulgence, teaching our kids the act of appreciation is a dire requirement to bring up a happy individual.

Below are some ways parents can raise their children with a sense of gratitude.

Teach your child to thank others

The polite behavior of a child is a reflection of their upbringing. Encouraging kids to say "thank you" on a daily basis, which will gradually become a habit. The most effective way to foster gratitude in children is to teach them to be humble first.

Insist on thank-you notes

Schools often make kids write thank-you notes and even if it's not with words, children are also encouraged to draw pictures to express gratitude. A handmade card is a very thoughtful present because it's the personal touch that uplifts the mood of a friend or a family member. On the other hand, the process will help you model good behavior in your child.

Say no as and when required

Kids ask for toys, pricey phones, video games, and candies but meeting their every demand can often make them increasingly greedy. To raise a responsible child, it is necessary for the parent to sometimes say no, or perhaps ask them to wait for the right time to be rewarded with something.

Teach them to maintain a gratitude journal

Gratitude goes far deeper than just expressing it through words. When a child writes down the things in life they're is grateful for, it benefits them in many ways, including building a positive mindset. Teaching your child to journal the best things that happened at the end of the day can teach them gratitude through mindfulness.

Make them do small chores

Some parents may find it agonizing to watch their kid struggle with a chore in the beginning but it is habits like these that prove helpful in shaping their personality as they grow older. You can always ask them to do lighter chores such as mixing the pancake batter, feeding the dog, or stacking dirty dishes to see if it truly interests them.

Building gratitude in a child is a time-consuming task and it doesn't mean that you should force your toddler to do something they despise. To help your kids see something good in every situation, always talk about the bright side and be patient all while.