The Gift of Gratitude

“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It is the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” 

- Amy Collette 

We all have a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes the simplest of things are taken for granted. We forget how very fortunate we are. Gratitude is believed to be one of the healthiest emotions that humans can practice. Did you know that research shows that cultivating gratitude has profound benefits? These include: 

• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Boosting mood
• Strengthening your immune system
• Improving sleep

A simple way to cultivate a sense of gratitude is to keep a gratitude log. Schedule a time that works best for you each day to write down one thing you are thankful for. This can be a great way to start your morning or a quick practice just before bed! Your journal will be unique to you. Some of the things that we are grateful for include: a warm home, food, physical ability, laughter, going to the beach, and time with friends or family. The list can be endless, so feel free to get carried away! 

A 2019 research study published in the Journal of Happiness noted that gratitude is linked to happiness in children by age 5. This means that instilling gratitude in children at a young age can help them grow up to be happier people. Other psychological studies have shown that grateful children tend to be happier, have greater engagement with hobbies and schoolwork, have better relationships, and report greater satisfaction in general. Studies also show that children who practice gratitude experience less jealousy, less symptoms of depression, and are less materialistic than children who do not practice gratitude. 

Are you wondering how to teach gratitude to children? You can start by encouraging them to say “please” and “thank you.” You can model gratitude by telling them that you are thankful for them and that there is nobody else in the world exactly like them. With preschoolers, you can draw things you are thankful for, or name them during circle time. Children in your care will organically learn things through your actions. If you don’t practice gratitude, they may not either!  

There are many activities on the internet, or in books, that are geared toward children to cultivate gratitude. Below are a couple of resources to check out: 

• 10 Techniques for Teaching Children How to Practice Gratitude | The Discovery Source
• Gratitude Worksheets and Activities for Children and Families | Social Worker's Toolbox

Snohomish County Health Department’s Child Care Health Outreach Program wants you to know that we are thankful for you! We appreciate your hard work and dedication to ensure that our next generation is nurtured and cared for. 

“If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” 

- Rabbi Harold Kushner