Winter 2006 Volume 3, Number 4

Thankfulness

Elizabeth Reinsch, LCSW, ACSW
Human Development Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
314-615-7605
ReinschE@missouri.edu

As the Holiday season approaches we may still have time to give one last gift that will last a life time. That gift is to understand and practice the art of THANKFULNESS. This is taught to children by grandparents, parents, teachers, and caregivers. Yes, we adults are our children’s best teacher, and thankfulness is learned through modeling. My two year old grandson is presently being coached to say thank you for most things given to him, as is typical of all young children, but the lesson must not stop. We can cultivate gratitude in children every day through their lives.

Brenda Nixon offers suggestions in her article “Teaching thankfulness: An important Holiday Gift for Children” which is printed in the online publication Moms Today. This is a publication can be found on-line at http://momstoday.com dated October 30, 2006. Following is a summary of her suggestions.

1. Live the Lesson: When you model thankfulness, then your grandchild or child will absorb that teaching.

2. Convert Attitude into Action: When your child is with you use small gestures, a smile to those who serve: the mail person, grocery store clerk, bank attendant, etc. Remember we are our grandchild or child’s model. Another way to show appreciation is to bake or make a small gift if we have the time. This is also a wonderful way to say thank you to someone and spend time with your grandchild or child while completing the project.

3. Discover Dictionary Descriptions: We may have our own words to say thank you, but it might be interesting to look the word up in the dictionary. Understanding how the word is used and expressed differently may help establish the new pattern for your grandchild or child.

4. Contrast your family with folks less fortunate: Help your children experience the lives of those who have less than they do. Count your blessings, make a list and pin it to your refrigerator.

5. Look on-line for web sites that offer various types of quotes related to thankfulness. Humorous thank you quotes may make the point easier for children.

6. Make a collage from old magazines on thankfulness. Place this on your refrigerator, and discuss it every now and again.

7. Write a story or poem of thankfulness and have the children share it at special times when the family is gathered.

8. Above all, practice GRATITUDE permanently. Showing thanks and appreciation does not end with the season. Help children write thank you notes for gifts. Gifts are not just material things, but also includes the time grandparents and adults spend with children in positive, happy activities and living environments. Find time during the New Year to practice these suggestions. But most of all have fun.
   
   "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners
   who make our souls blossom." -- Marcel Proust, French Novelist