Artwork by Anni Betts from Peaceful Like a Panda
A whole lot is written about gratitude at this time of year, mostly directed squarely at us grownups.
But what about instilling gratitude in our young children? And why is it important, anyway?
Research specifically on thankfulness in children shows that experiences of gratitude lead to more optimism, happiness and life satisfaction. A separate study linked experiences of gratitude to greater social support, and protection from stress and depression over time.
So yes, it’s important!
(And to be clear, I don’t just mean requiring a “thank you” out of kids when they receive something—it’s valuable to teach good manners, but a lot more than that goes into instilling the actual experience of gratitude.)
Holiday mealtimes, when we’re gathered with family and friends, are a wonderful opportunity to mindfully practice this skill.
Try this simple mindful moment from my book Peaceful Like a Panda:
Take a long breath in, and let it all the way out.
Someone grew the food you’re eating today.
Say thank you to the person who grew it.
Someone put your food in a package.
Say thank you to the person who put it in a package.
Someone served you that food.
Say thank you to the person who served it to you.
Take a long breath in, and let it all the way out.