This time of year can cause students to focus on material items and what they might not have instead of what they do have. Here are a few ways to teach gratitude at home.
- Encourage Small Acts of Kindness. You and your child can make handmade gifts, help neighbors with small tasks, or have your child choose a student at school to be extra kind to over the holiday season.
- Volunteer in the Community. Find a soup kitchen or an opportunity to give back in the community.
- Write Thank You Notes. Have your child write thank you notes for their gifts.
- Create a Gratitude Jar. Write down things that you are thankful for and put them in a jar to pull back out and read together at a later date.
Keep in mind that learning gratitude takes time. Be patient and continue to model this at home.