We often get so busy in life that we forget to stop and take a minute to reflect on the great things in our lives. From the opportunities we have, to the people in our lives, and even the material things we have. All too often we fixate on all the things we don’t have, which only brings negativity into our lives, as well as a need to compare ourselves to others.
What better time to reflect on the things we are grateful for than the month of November? In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving it can be so refreshing to do just that; give thanks for the lives we live!
Not only is practicing gratitude as an adult refreshing, but practicing gratitude is a great way for young kids to gain a positive perspective on life.
You may be wondering how exactly you can practice gratitude and teach your kiddo to do the same. Well, wonder no more; I have created a list of activities to do with your little one that encourage gratitude!
Here are my suggestions…
Create a Board of Gratitude
A board of gratitude is super simple to create. Just grab a white board or a chalkboard and hang it up in a popular location in your home. Keep some writing utensils handy so that everyone can jot down something they are thankful for as they walk past.
Family members and guests will be more likely to contribute to the board the more they see it.
I mean, what better decoration in your home than a board full of positive messages? Walking past it and being reminded of all the things that you have to be grateful for is a great way to start your day on a positive note.
Volunteer at a Local Charity
Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are until we see those who have so much less than us. Volunteering at a local charity is a great way to give back to those who need it. By using our abilities to help others, we can give them something to be thankful for as well.
Positivity will breed more positivity, so use your power!
Give Something to Those You Are Grateful For
While we don’t have to give out material things to show others that we are grateful for them, why not if we have the ability to? An awesome way to show your gratitude is to bake a bunch of treats and hand them out to those you appreciate along with a letter.
Feel free to give these to your family members, but to expand your reach a little bit, encourage your kiddo to give the goodies to a local service man or woman.
A teacher, firefighter, local store owner, or even the mail person could all use some appreciation. Encourage your little ones to write out a letter or draw a picture and hand it to these awesome people with a nice little treat.
While Thanksgiving is a great time to practice gratitude, why limit yourself to one month? November can just be the start! Once the holidays are over, push yourself to practice other ways to acknowledge gratitude regularly.
Trust me, a little extra positivity never hurt anyone.