The Importance of Teaching Kids the Attitude of Gratitude Early On

Teaching our children about gratitude is so much more than simply telling them to be thankful for what you have, although that may be a good place to start. 

Gratitude is a powerful emotion and it has helped me through some rough patches in my life. The moment I remind myself of how grateful I am to have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, a great job, reasonable health, and a family who loves me, I realise that I am indeed blessed.

In a country like SA where the divide between the haves and the have-nots is the biggest in the world, it becomes even more crucial to acknowledge privilege and to be grateful to avoid acting or feeling entitled.

When we teach our children about gratitude, we help them to develop a positive outlook on life. They become empowered with an incredible, lifelong skill that enhances their well-being and nurtures healthy relationships. The art of appreciation is a daily skill and practice.

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“The art of appreciation is a daily skill and practice.”

How to effectively teach your kids gratitude

Lead by example

Our children learn best by observing the way we behave. So, it’s essential for us to model gratitude in our own lives. Show them how much you appreciate the simple things and things of non-material value as well as possessions, such as a beautiful sunset, a delicious meal, or acts of kindness from a friend. By being grateful ourselves, we inspire our children to adopt the same attitude.

Start with the basics

Introduce the concept of gratitude to your kids is by explaining to them what it means to appreciate and acknowledge the positive aspects of life. Encourage them to recognise and express gratitude for any small things that someone does for them as well as for loving family members, good health, a cosy home, pets who love them or supportive friends.

Start a gratitude routine

In our family we established a gratitude routine to fit into our daily lives. We played the “I love” game by talking about what we loved about our day, the meal or whatever comes to mind. We played it daily when our girls were little, and now that they’re adolescents, we still play it when we need it most. Start your own gratitude routine and encourage your children to be as creative and as elaborate as they want.

“By being grateful ourselves, we inspire our children to adopt the same attitude.”

Encourage reflection

By encouraging our children to reflect on their day and identify moments or experiences that made them feel grateful, we begin to instil in them an attitude of gratitude. This reflection can be done individually or as a family, and perhaps one of the most enjoyable ways of reflecting is by writing it all down in a gratitude journal or notebook. Then we can revisit our most grateful moments whenever we feel we need to. Or when you put your kids to sleep at night, it’s a great exercise to do together.

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Practice acts of kindness

It’s essential to teach our children how fortunate we are in South Africa to be living in an innate culture of ubuntu. Teach our kids about the joy of giving by engaging in acts of kindness ourselves. In so doing we encourage them to perform their own random acts of kindness. When they experience the positive affect this has on others, they begin to develop a sense of gratitude for the ability to make a difference.

Volunteer as a family

When we engage in volunteer or charity work within our community as a family, our children quickly develop a sense of appreciation for their own privileges and gain a broader perspective on life. Involve your kids by asking them where and how they’d like to help. Give examples of various organisations and initiatives within your community such as animal rescue shelters, blanket, clothing, and food drives for the less fortunate, visiting orphanages, helping the elderly or neighbourhood clean-ups.

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“Teach our kids about the joy of giving by engaging in acts of kindness ourselves.”

Practice mindful gratitude

Mindfulness helps our children to become more aware of the present moment and the abundance that surrounds them. Encourage them to take a few moments each day and reflect on their blessings, using techniques like deep breathing or visualisation. This practice will help our children cultivate gratitude in a more intentional way.

Encourage thank you notes

Writing notes to express gratitude is such a simple yet effective way of teaching children the importance of demonstrating appreciation. Whether it’s for a gift, an act of kindness, or a gesture of support, when we encourage our children to express their gratitude in writing, it not only reinforces their own sense of gratitude but also shows appreciation to others—it’s also basic good manners.

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Teach empathy

Children develop empathy when we help them see the world from others’ perspectives – in doing so we teach them to be grateful for the people in their lives and to consider the challenges others may face. By fostering empathy, our children learn to appreciate the diverse experiences and backgrounds of others, and this helps them to appreciate the richness of human connections.

A lifelong attitude

Let’s keep reminding children that gratitude is not a once-off exercise but a lifelong attitude. Encourage them to find gratitude in their most challenging moments and see setbacks as opportunities for growth. By embracing gratitude as a way of life, our children will develop resilience and a positive mindset that will serve them throughout their lives.

A life filled with gratitude is a gift that keeps on giving. As Maya Angelou said, “A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.”

“By fostering empathy, our children learn to appreciate the diverse experiences and backgrounds.”

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