Teaching Thankfulness
An Important Holiday Gift for Children

Some of the first words you teach your tot are "thank you." And throughout their young life children need prompts like, "What do you say to Aunt Becky?" Hopefully, over time, their response becomes automatic. But parents need to continue teaching an attitude of thanks even as children grow into teenagers. As you celebrate this busy holiday season, utilize every moment as an opportunity to nurture thankfulness in your child. Here are free and simple ways to incorporate it into your daily lifestyle:

Live the Lesson
It has been said that we're always teaching – sometimes we use words. Remembering to say "thank you" is proper. However, your child is watching you: the first and most influential teacher! So be sure to live a life of gratitude. When you model thankfulness, then your child will absorb that teaching.

Notice Nature
Encourage your child to appreciate the inspiration that surrounds her. Marvel at the power of the wind, the immensity of the ocean, the perfection of a snowflake, the endless night sky or the rugged beauty of a mountain range. I've reminded my girls of the saying of Goethe, "Nature is the living, visible garment of God."

Convert Attitude into Action
A small gesture, such as a smile, can lighten the day of the waitress who hands your youngster a glass of milk. A hug for your child's teacher is another attitude action. When she empties the dishwasher, remind your daughter that this is her action of appreciation for home and food even if she doesn't think so at the time. Thankfulness can also be expressed through homemade goodies. To show appreciation for their classroom teachers, my girls and I made little holiday gifts for them. What ways can you convert your thoughts into action this season?

Discover Dictionary Descriptions
Although we have our own words to explain thankfulness, it helps to see new definitions. Go to your public library and see what dictionaries say about the word. I like what Webster's Dictionary says about thankfulness, "Impressed with a sense of kindness received." This definition takes the focus off material possessions and puts it on the giver.

Gather Great Quotes
My research for this article took me to Web sites that offer all types of quotes. A humorous one about thanks comes from Woody Allen: "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." Have fun with your child as you gather quotes about thankfulness.

Contrast Your Family With Folks Less Fortunate
Help her see that there are those in your community who aren't as blessed: families without homes, people who are sad or lonely or those who must go to food kitchens to eat. When my daughters were young, one of our family traditions was to serve a meal to the homeless. Every Thanksgiving, my husband, two girls and I spent an evening at a rescue mission. After seeing hungry faces accepting a plate of food, my daughters heartily appreciated going home to their safe, cozy bedrooms. But they also learned about thankfulness when they saw and heard expressions of gratitude from those receiving the meal.

Make a Medley of Thankfulness
Grab a pile of old magazines. Encourage your child to look through the pages and cut out pictures of things she is thankful for. Glue these on one page, overlapping pictures. Soon she'll have a visual reminder of the many blessings in her life.

Pen a Poem of Thankfulness
Together, with your child, write words that rhyme with thanks, gratitude or thankful. See how many you can come up with. At any age, this can be a fun, language-learning exercise that stretches the imagination.

Practice Gratitude Permanently
Showing thanks and appreciation does not end with the season. Help your child write thank you notes for her Christmas gifts. Preschoolers can dictate their gratitude as you write, or they can draw a picture of appreciation to give to their gift-giver. Also, find opportunities during the upcoming year to reinforce your lesson.

Source: www.momstoday.com