Crafting Gratitude the Reggio Way: Simple Projects to Raise Thankful Kids
“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.” Norman Vincent Peale
In our fast-paced world of instant gratification, teaching children to slow down and notice the good and the beautiful that surrounds them is a profound gift.
Gratitude, the practice of appreciating what we have and expressing thanks, isn’t just for us grown-ups. Research shows that when introduced early, gratitude helps children feel more connected to others, boosts their self-esteem and sense of well-being and even builds resilience. (Obeldobel and Kerns, 2021; Hussong et al, 2020; Emmonds, 2003) Although gratitude may feel like an abstract concept, there are simple and concrete ways to cultivate the practice with our young children.
Today’s post features some creative ideas to help make the act of practicing gratitude a natural part of your family’s life - a practice that extends far beyond the celebration of Thanksgiving day.
1. Start a Gratitude Ritual
Establishing a daily gratitude ritual helps children develop a routine of thankfulness. You could create a "gratitude circle" at dinner, where each family member shares one thing they’re grateful for that day. Encourage children to be specific, helping them focus on real experiences and relationships.
This ritual creates a moment of pause, reminding everyone to recognize and appreciate the day’s bright spots. We often play the “sweet and sour” game - sharing something that was a challenge (the “sour”), and then ending with our “sweet spots” - our gratitudes. Focusing on specific, real life experiences and relationships helps children to see that gratitude is woven into the fabric of everyday, not just a yearly tradition at Thanksgiving.
2. Craft a Gratitude Bowl: Clay Bowls to Hold Our Thanks
Young children learn best through hands-on activities, which makes a gratitude bowl a perfect fit. Invite your child to craft a bowl of clay (simple pinch pot technique) to collect small notes of thanks - see the video above for a how-to!
Together, generate an “Gratitude Alphabet” - the ABC’s of thankfulness. You can brainstorm a list all at once, or make this a daily ritual, and encourage your child to write or draw one thing they’re grateful for and add it to the bowl each day.
This turns gratitude into a tangible object they can see and touch, helping reinforce the concept. Over time, they’ll see their collection of “thankful thoughts” grow, and they can revisit their notes whenever they need a reminder of what they have to appreciate.
Download your Gratitude Alphabet here.
3. Art Cards of Thanks
Expressing gratitude doesn’t always need to be verbal or written. Especially for our youngest learners, often the most powerful lessons come in the form of art. Encourage your child to create a beautiful “art-card” of thanks for others.
These process-based “thank-you art cards” can be given in appreciation for birthday gifts they’ve received; to extended family members who’ve supported performances or sports activities, or teachers who have made an impact on them in some way.
When children take ownership of creating their own art pieces and gifting them to others in appreciation for their service, they feel good inside and their self-esteem flourishes. Even the youngest children can create process art! Simply lay out a variety of media, paint and glue, and let them explore. Paste their work onto a watercolor card, and send a handwritten message of thanks.
4. Set an Example of Gratitude Daily
“Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.”
Our children are always observing and noticing their world, and they learn a great deal from the people around them - especially their parents. Model gratitude by giving thanks often, and in everyday moments. When something doesn’t go quite as planned, and you find yourself disappointed, reflect on that disappointment but remind yourself and your child that life has a way of always working out for the best, even if we don’t realize it in the moment. “Gratitude’s in all of us and all we have to do, is stop and think how thankful we are, instead of feeling blue!” (Gratitude is my Super Power! By Alicia Ortego)
Be sure to also thank your child and notice when they are being helpful or kind - holding a door open, helping with the groceries, washing their hands when asked. Our children adopt a grateful mindset when they see and hear us showing gratitude for things big and small.
5. Create a Collage-Style Gratitude Board
Set up a cork board (available at the Dollar Store) and invite your child to pin cut-up magazine pictures, printed photos, drawings and even words to show things they’re thankful for. A gratitude board is a collaborative, family project and serves as an incredibly powerful visual reminder because over time, the piece becomes a “collage of blessings.” Family members can add to it whenever inspiration strikes, making it an evolving and organic visual display of gratitude.
These simple yet powerful practices help children understand that gratitude is a practice - a daily practice of recognizing the good in life and valuing it. It’s so much more than saying “thank you,” or a custom at the annual Thanksgiving Day table. Through modeling and concrete experiences through the arts, as well as daily rituals, we grow grateful hearts in our children, helping them build resilience and positivity, and a joyful perspective on life that will last a lifetime.
