Children will not understand gratitude on their own, parents need to be the ones to guide and teach their children about it. If you are taught gratitude from a young age, when you grow up you will become a tolerant and caring person. Here are 6 methods for parents to teach their children about this good virtue.
Let children learn from their parents' example
Children love to imitate their parents' actions, so it would be great if you could set an example of gratitude for your children. We just need to start saying "thank you" and "please" to family members regularly. From there, children will learn how to express gratitude when they need help and when they receive help from others.
In addition, you should also show gratitude in daily life. For example, when taking a walk outdoors with your child, you can tell your child, "Thank you for taking a walk with me." or “Please help me hold the water bottle, thank you.”. This will help your child be grateful for the smallest things, the everyday things that are often forgotten.
Encourage your child to help others
Instead of receiving thanks, giving is also a good way to teach children about gratitude . You should take your child to visit orphanages and households that need help so that your child has the opportunity to see real life. Then, parents should teach their children to help those who are more difficult than themselves by donating useful things.
Children can donate toys that are no longer used
Children can start by collecting unused toys or hoarding old clothes that are still wearable or books that they have finished studying, then donate them to people who are more difficult than themselves. When children learn how to share, they will become more tolerant and generous. In addition, when the gift recipients say thank you, children will realize that what they did was meaningful. Seeing bad situations also helps children be grateful for the good things their parents give them.
Give specific examples of gratitude
Good stories like: The Wishing Pearl and the Returning Crow, The Lion and the Mouse,... will give your child a valuable lesson about gratitude and tolerance. Real-life examples given by parents will help children understand better. We will suggest some sentences that parents can say to their children:
- Mom is very grateful because today her colleagues helped her carry heavy things.
- Did Tran lend you a pen? You are really good, I remember to thank you!
- When your child helps a friend but you don't thank him, will he be sad? So don't forget to thank the people who helped you.
Parents should also show their children examples of gratitude on holidays, typically Vietnamese Teachers' Day, War Invalids and Martyrs' Day, grandparents' death anniversary, etc. You can tell stories about the greatness and heroism of the martyrs who fell for the country's independence, the care and sacrifice of teachers or the diligence and efforts of grandparents to make the family what it is today. Through this, children will better understand the holidays as well as cultivate gratitude .
Thank those who serve you
Many people take it for granted that good service is given to them, and children will do the same if they are not guided by their parents. In order for children to understand gratitude, parents need to train their children from the smallest things like this.
Thanking the waiters shows that you are a well-educated child
Just a word of thanks when receiving water or ordering food will show your child's gratitude , while also making the people doing the service happier. You should also teach your child to thank the bus driver, thank the janitor at school... so that they understand that every profession deserves respect and they need to be grateful to those who provide services to their lives. better.
Encourage children to express gratitude in many ways
If your child feels shy when saying thank you to others, you should find other ways to help them get used to showing their appreciation. For children who like to draw, parents should encourage them to draw a small picture with a thank you note.
In case your child doesn't know how to express it, parents should help them cut out pretty paper flowers and write a thank you note on them so they can give the flower to the person who helped them. Encouraging your child to show gratitude when necessary will help your child leave a good mark in everyone's hearts.
Paper flowers containing a thank you note will make the recipient feel touched
Grateful for celebrating my birthday
Birthday is an opportunity for children to receive meaningful gifts and receive blessings from loved ones. Parents, please take advantage of this opportunity to teach your children about gratitude . Of course, a happy birthday cannot lack guests. Parents, please guide your children to say thank you for the gifts and presence of the guests.
At the same time, parents should also explain to their children about the hardship of organizing a birthday party. Through this, you will understand how lucky you are to celebrate your birthday and be grateful that your parents always give you the most careful love and care.
A birthday party that includes gratitude will be more meaningful
Teaching children about gratitude requires a lot of patience from parents. Children are inherently forgetful, they will not remember how to say thank you after just one lesson, it may take a few weeks or months for them to remember. To raise children in the best way, parents need to pay attention to many things. Mykingdom hopes that my sharing has partly helped you.
