Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash
As society becomes stringent, people have, ironically, become more entitled. Encouraging gratefulness in children fends off overindulgence before it becomes a problem.
“Me first!”
This cry coming out from a child’s mouth is a common occurrence that parents typically pay no attention to or feel the need to lecture them. As naïve as they are, children generally are self-centered. They seek things that satisfy their needs, throwing tantrums whenever their demands aren’t met.
At this age, their focus is primarily directed inward, seeing the world from a perspective limited and centered toward themselves. Everything acts and stands in relation to them, to what caters to their needs and desires, and those that don’t contribute to this satisfaction are rarely appreciated or recognized. This indifference teaches children to be undervaluing of blessings and unable to see the beauty in life. Although this mindset may be deemed selfish and frowned upon, it’s considered normal for children in this development phase.
But not everything normal should be tolerated and not corrected.
Parents should still intervene and cultivate gratefulness in children to ensure they grow up as appreciative and kinder humans. This can be accomplished through guidance and modeling.
The Importance of Gratefulness in Children
Gratitude is associated with positive emotions such as happiness, enjoyment, and health benefits. When people notice the good things, they’re filled with a positive light that bounces from within them and influences those around them. However, gratefulness in children isn’t something inherent. It’s not a virtue they naturally acquired. Instead, it’s supposed to be nurtured along with other values.
Multiple scientific studies point out that gratefulness in children contributes to their well-being and ability to succeed as adults. After all, this virtue doesn’t only open their eyes to the beauty in their surroundings but also to accept opportunities that come their way wholeheartedly, as either gateways or challenges for growth and development. Beyond cultivating greatness within everyone, it also helps people strengthen relationships by allowing them to see the good in people and genuinely connect them with each other.
This is what gratitude brings to adults.
Now imagine nurturing this gratefulness in children. As early as childhood, they’re already molded into a life of optimism, preparing them for an easy shift toward emotional maturity. This gears them to live life satisfactorily and become better adults within their community. They become more engaged in future activities and endeavors, likewise being less envious, materialistic, and depressed.
Author Ruthane’s book for children highlights kindness and gratefulness as the focal values that help children shine and grow into the adults they should be. As children’s books, they cater to the interests of children while incorporating values in their plots. These stories teach morals to children and readers of all ages without compromising enjoyment and fun in their pages.
Gratefulness in children is excellent. But how do parents teach their kids to embody this virtue?
Building a Habit of Gratitude in Children
The philosophy, monkey see, monkey do, prevails in developing new habits and behaviors for the younger recipient. Hence, for parents to cultivate gratefulness in children, they must practice and nurture the virtue within themselves.
Here are some tips to help them boost gratitude in their kids.
Gratefulness Starts With a Thank You
This gesture can be done within the simplest scenarios and circumstances. Whether between family members or extending out toward strangers serving them in restaurants or stores, gratitude stems from saying “thank you.” Regardless of whether they understand what the sentence means or if they sincerely mean the sentiment, practicing uttering this is already a significant step toward this virtue.
Children only have their parents as role models and their behaviors as comparison standards. They act as a blueprint for their kids to follow and mirror. Hence, gratitude in children can be developed when parents express the value for their children to witness. Expressing thank yous through words or letters is an excellent way to model this value.
Shower Them With Life’s Greatest Gift
Another way to teach children kindness and respect is by showing them what it means, and another way to show love is through time. Paying them a lot of attention demonstrates the power of love, allowing them to nurture empathy – the ultimate virtue of kindness – within themselves. Growing up surrounded by love will enable children to be more appreciative and have a positive outlook.
Love is the most essential emotion in teaching and developing gratefulness in children. It gives parents and children a better appreciation for the things around them.
Maximize Children’s Strengths as Fuel
Children can develop a new value by utilizing what they already have. This means using their strengths to open opportunities to contribute to society, thus receiving gratitude for themselves. As a recipient, it will make them feel overjoyed, encouraging them to demonstrate the same gesture to others. This exchange fuels children to become more grateful, likewise making them kinder.
Instilling gratitude in children isn’t only a parent’s responsibility. It’s an issue for society to resolve and work on. As the world becomes more diverse and connected, society needs to mold kinder and more respectful children to ensure peace and harmony in every interaction. Hence, everyone must contribute and do their part in helping children develop this virtue.
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