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...
Teach Gratitude through Art {and a great booklist too!}
A Reggio-Inspired Invitation to explore Gratitude
Gratitude is an abstract concept for many children, but books and art make it so much more concrete and experiential. The following is a booklist to support your children's examination of what it means to be grateful, and the video includes a beautiful art invitation through the language of clay.
There’s an old adage that says if the only prayer you say in your life is Thank You it will be enough. As a child I remember my grandpa standing at the head of a long table, 30+ people waiting to eat, waxing eloquent about his full heart and giving thanks that each of us kept showing up. Now, as an adult, I am constantly looking for ways to teach my young children about such an abstract concept as gratitude.
What does gratitude look like? How do we best show it? And more importantly, when does teaching basic manners like “please” and “thank you” translate to helping children have full...
