“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...