Teaching Kids Gratitude
We go to our dear friend’s house every year for New Year’s. They throw a fun, kid friendly party for us and their family. Last year I got the feeling my children have come to expect the celebration to go a certain way. There was lots of whining about if and when things were going to happen.
I know my kids were so excited but I was so embarrassed they weren’t showing gratitude for anything that was done for them. We weren’t going to do games, prizes, sparklers, or a fake countdown at our house. I pulled them aside multiple times to explain to them the importance of showing appreciation by saying thank you and asking nicely for things. That seemed to go right over their heads.
Mortified, I went home and googled ‘children’s books about gratitude’ and went to the library to get them. These are the children’s books about gratitude I found.
BOOK #1: The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken
We ended up buying this book from an online secondhand bookstore after we read it from the library. We loved it so much.
In this book, the king has his villagers bring him something beautiful that will hopefully make him happy. He accumulates tons of treasures but nothing makes him happy. He hears about the quilt maker and wonders why she hasn’t given him one of her magnificent quilts. The king tries to force her to make him one. She tells him she will only make him a quilt if he gives away his treasures. He doesn’t want to but eventually he decides to give his things away. He finds the gift of giving is better than receiving.
To see this book, click here >>> The Quiltmaker’s Gift
BOOK #2: Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
This book is very simple but sends the message that no matter what you do or who you are, there is ALWAYS something you can be grateful for.
To see this book, click here >>> Thankful
Book #3: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña
I love this book because Nana always finds something beautifully positive in every situation.
CJ gets out of church and on his journey to the soup kitchen with his Nana he is asking why they have to take the bus instead of owning a car, or why doesn’t he have a walkman too. How come it has to be this way? Nana shows CJ all the beautiful things he would miss out if things were different. She also helps CJ to be grateful for his circumstances (dang, sometimes I need a Nana).
To see this book, click here >>> Last Stop on Market Street
After we read these books we talked about things we were grateful for. I explained to them that it is okay to be disappointed something didn’t happen or sad the event is over but you can also focus on what you did get to do. You can be disappointed or sad and grateful at the same time. I tried to give examples so they could understand what I was saying like, “I’m disappointed the movie wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be but I am glad I got to go to the movies.”
“The fair was awesome! I’m sad it’s time to leave but I had so much fun on the ferris wheel!”
“I wish basketball wasn’t over! This season was so fun, I’m looking forward to the next season.”
I downloaded a free gratitude calendar from Proud to be Primary. Most days we try to fill in one thing we are grateful for from that day. My youngest one draws a picture and I write the words. My oldest can do it herself.
Some days I feel like they just don’t get it, other days I feel like we are moving forward. We are still working on it. All you can do is your best and I think they will get it eventually.
What are some ways you help your kids practice gratitude? Let me know in the comments! Lord knows we can all use some help. 😁
xo L.
