With Thanksgiving fast approaching, there's no better time to teach your children about thankfulness and how to express gratitude.
Of course, teaching these kinds of behaviors often starts with our own behaviors. Show your children how to be thankful by thanking those around you—your children, waiters, and even strangers holding the door open for you.
In addition to setting a good example with your own actions, try one of these fun activities to encourage your children to express gratitude:
1. Thankful Turkey Box
Muncie Sanitary District has a blog post for upcycled Thanksgiving crafts, including a fun "Thankful Turkey Box" that kids can help make and decorate. The idea is that everyone writes something for which they are thankful and places it in the box. The notes of gratitude can be read aloud around the dinner table or whenever you see fit! You can even encourage gratitude this whole month (instead of just on Thanksgiving Day) by asking everyone in the family to submit one note of thankfulness each week.
2. Gratitude Balloons
Have everyone in the family write notes of appreciation for each other. Then, roll up each note and stick them inside a balloon—one balloon for each person. Inflate the balloons, and write each person's name on them. Kids will have fun popping their balloon and reading all the notes inside!
3. Appreciation Placemats
This is a fun way to get your kids involved in setting the table—for Thanksgiving or for any dinner! Grab a few blank pieces of paper, and have your kids draw and/or write things for which they are thankful. You can even print out pictures of things they say and have them practice cutting and gluing. Get creative! Once complete, each decorated paper can serve as a placemat around the table. To take it a step further, you can ask each child at dinner to explain what they put on their placemat and why.