What are children thankful for? When asked, a child most often replies their toys and other possessions, and Mommy and Daddy. Being thankful is a difficult concept for young children.
As adults, we get to teach and model what it means to be thankful. We can involve them in our day-to-day actions of generosity, actions of kindness, and sharing, thus modeling another quality we hope to instill in our children.
You don’t have to wait until the holiday season to talk with your child about the things they are thankful for. “The Thankful Book” by Todd Parr is a great story to share any day of the year. Each page begins with “I am thankful . . .”, then the words and pictures provide children with many ideas of things to be thankful for. The words Mr. Parr uses connects their senses and feelings. I feel it introduces children to the idea that being thankful can include a variety of things. Some of those things they can touch or taste. Others they feel or hear. And some are things they see daily.
Making a book to reflect the things your children are thankful for is a fun way to involve them .
- Start with a few sheets of paper.
- Staple the sheets together on one side so that they’re bound and give your child this blank, makeshift book. You can add pages as your child’s list grows.
- Encourage them to participate. For example, if you’re participating in a food drive, let them help select and carry the items to the donation site. Explain that other children and families need food, and that you’re helping fill that need.
- Take your child to the food drive so they can see the act of donating and serving.
- Then, invite your child to draw a picture about the experience and/or write about it. Or take a photograph and have your child glue the print to one of the sheets in their makeshift book. Alternatively, include the photograph in an inexpensive photo album (another simple way to make a book).
Your child can add to their “Thankful” book all year.
I’m sure you can share with Me all sorts of ways to teach children about being thankful. You probably have a favorite children’s book that talks about being thankful, too. I invite you to share it with Me.