At Sonnet Montessori, we look forward to cultivating thankfulness during the month of November. Our team of has been participating in a month-long gratitude challenge, the children enjoy sharing daily at circle time the things they are grateful for, and we have opportunities for families and our leadership to express their gratitude to our teaching team!
Gratitude is all about appreciating and feeling thankful for what you have. Did you know that a single act of gratitude can increase happiness by 10%? Here are some other benefits of gratitude:
- Decreases depressive symptoms by 35%
- Improves sleep quality by 25% (specifically by gratitude journaling)
- 5-15% increase in optimism
- Strengthens social connections
- Decreases common health complaints
- Fosters healthier food intake (quality and quantity)
When thankfulness is practiced by families, it can strengthen relationships and foster positivity, appreciation and kindness.
Gratitude is much more than the words we speak. So often we tell our child, “Say thank you,” or, “What do you say to Grandma for giving you that?” or, “Stop complaining! You should be grateful for what you have!” or, “I worked so hard to put a meal on the table for you, and you are so ungrateful!” or, “How could you act like that when your aunt and uncle took the time to bring you a gift? That was so ungrateful!” Instead of fostering gratitude, we can “automate” thankfulness, or, worse, make our children resentful with these types of comments.
Has your child ever:
- Expressed jealousy when another child received a gift they did not?
- Been ungrateful for what they have received?
- Been emotional when they are told “no” for something they wanted?
- Expressed a sense of entitlement?
- Been upset when it is time to leave or say “goodbye”?
Gratitude can help your child better navigate their disappointment.
The University of North Carolina has a wonderful resource for raising grateful children. (Check it out here!) Their team says that it’s important that we first encourage our children to notice the good things in life, and what you think and feel about them.
We can do this by modeling gratitude, asking thoughtful questions that encourage your child to share or by making caring statements such as:
- “Did you notice how the sun is shining so brightly today? I’m grateful for the sun!”
- “It was so kind of Grandma to give you that. Wasn’t that thoughtful of her to remember your favorite activity?”
- “I know that saying goodbye is hard, but it’s so nice that you got to have a playdate with your friend! What was your favorite activity you got to do together?”
- “Your hugs are the best! I’m so glad you’re my child!”
- “I noticed you gave Grandma a big hug after she read you that story. I bet that made her feel so good! Thank you for doing that!”
- “I’m thankful for a warm house on this cold day!”
- “You didn’t have to do that for me, but it makes me feel so loved that you did! Thank you!”
- “It’s so fun that your cousins got to spend the day with you!”
- “Thank you for helping me put the dishes away. I enjoyed working with you!”
- “I feel so happy that you remembered me while you were at school and took time to draw a picture just for me! Thank you!”
- “Why do you think your brother gave you that piece of candy?” (“That was kind of him to think of you!”)
- “How do you think your friend feels about the gift they received? I bet they were so excited! I’m glad that she is happy about getting such a special gift!”
- “I heard you tell your friend that you loved his new game, and you sounded so excited for him! I bet that made him feel happy!”
- “How does it make you feel when you think about how your friend took time to pick out a book especially for you?” (“Your friend was thinking about you because you are special to them! That makes me feel happy!”)
We wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving, and gratefulness this season and always!
