Kids today are often perceived by parents and educators alike as lacking in gratitude. Considering how essential gratitude is in any person’s success and overall well-being, this should be cause for alarm. If you’re one of those parents who think their child is showing signs of being ungrateful, take comfort in the fact that it can actually be reversed. An article written by Jeffrey Froh and Giacomo Bono for Greater Good cites recent research that suggests ways for developing gratitude in children.
Gratitude is beneficial to youngsters
Citing two long-term studies and their own research, Froh and Bono say gratitude is quite beneficial to youngsters. In their own study, youngsters who are grateful tend to be happier, more optimistic and are generally more satisfied with their lives, among other things.
If gratitude really does all that and more, we should leave no stone unturned towards fostering gratitude in our kids. To do that, Froh and Bono say we must model and teach gratitude to them. Our kids, after all, look up to us, and when they see us expressing gratitude or giving small gifts in appreciation of something, they will pick up on it and practice such things themselves.
Ways of fostering gratitude in our kids
Other ways of developing gratitude in children, according to Froh and Bono, include spending time with your kids and being mindful of them, supporting their autonomy, using their own strengths to fuel gratitude, helping them focus to achieve intrinsic goals, encouraging them to help others and nurture relationships and helping them find what matters to them.
Personally, the findings shared by Froh and Bono make hearing my child say thank you for something as simple as helping her get off the floor even more gratifying.
Click here to read the article in full.
