Early Childhood Matters Stands in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter, against racism to black Americans and in all forms. We strive to help families raise the next generation of race conscious children. Please see our page of resources for families on talking to children about race and racism here.

Best Gratitude Exercise Ever for Young Children!

Let’s face it-it is hard to get a good answer from young children when you ask them what they are grateful for. The concept of gratitude, though rich with benefits, can be a bit abstract for children at times.

Follow these steps for the most genuine gratitude exercise ever:

Step One: Make a hand turkey! You know trace your child’s hand and then tilt it so the thumb is the turkey’s neck–add and eye and a wattle (yes that red fleshy thing has a name!)

Now you have four feathers-for each feather focus on one aspect of gratitude. 

Ask your child the following and be sure to frame the question with both of these options:

Feather One: Who are you grateful for/who do you love in our family?

Feather Two: Who are you grateful for/who do you love outside of our family?

Feather Three: What are you grateful for/what do you love to do inside?

Feather Four: What are you grateful for/what do you love to do outside?
You can keep going, of course, and add more feathers and ask things like: who are you grateful for in our neighborhood? At your school? Be creative! But these more specific questions will get your child thinking for sure and generate more sincere answers! 

Share

Supporting families on the road to connected and effective parenting.

parenting workshops * parent/toddler playgroups * presentations * private consultations

Email kellam@earlychildhoodmatters.org if you are interested in finding out about sliding scale tuition for our parenting series, mom’s groups, and playgroups. We are happy to help support parents who are in a situation where these courses might otherwise be cost prohibitive.

Our cancellation policy:

Full refund 30 days or more (less a 20% transaction fee), less than 14 days before the start of class a 40% refund will be granted, unless the participant finds a replacement to fill their spot, less than 7 days participants will be responsible for paying the full amount of the class/series price, unless they find a replacement participant to fill their spot.