Growing Gratitude: Helping Children Notice the Good This Holiday Season
Written by Rina Shulberg
The holidays are an opportunity to take a break and enjoy time with our loved ones. It can also be an opportunity to reconnect after a busy fall and share our gratitude with one another.
Why Gratitude is Important
Expressing gratitude can lead to improvements in our mental health. Studies have found decreased levels of depression and anxiety, better sleep, and better interpersonal relationships in individuals who express their gratitude daily. Other studies find that regularly expressing gratitude can increase our patience.
It also feels good! Focusing on positives changes our mindset by showing us what we can do, rather than keeping our focus on what is hard or stressful. Acknowledging things that we are grateful for can also help our children notice their own strengths and abilities. It can encourage more positive self-talk and help children persevere when faced with a challenge.
Modeling for Our Children
Parents and caretakers should model acknowledging positives for our children. By commenting on good behavior or positive actions, we show our children what matters to us and what makes us feel good. We can notice the positive things in our lives, showing that we do not take our opportunities for granted.
Commenting on the positives also makes kids feel good about themselves. Adults often comment on children’s disruptive behaviors and forget to acknowledge and praise the good things that they do every day. Expressing our gratitude for good behaviors increases the likelihood of our children repeating those good behaviors. Acknowledging things that our children do well also builds their confidence and self-esteem.
Helping our Children Notice the Good
So, how can we help our children strengthen their gratitude muscles? Studies have shown that expressing gratitude for three things each day can increase our overall levels of happiness. Families should take time to hear from one another each day and spotlight the things they are most thankful for. This can shift attention away from stressors or disappointments and towards all of our good qualities, experiences, and achievements.
We are all susceptible to getting distracted by the negatives in our lives. Our daily stress and worries can feel overwhelming at times. During this holiday season and beyond, we encourage you and your families to break free from negative thinking and highlight the good in our lives. Whether the positives you notice are big or small, expressing our gratitude can have a great effect on your mood and relationships.
https://namica.org/blog/the-impact-of-gratitude-on-mental-health/
https://time.com/5026174/health-benefits-of-gratitude/
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain
