Tips for Helping Kids Focus on Gratitude During the Holidays and All Year-Round

As the end of the year approaches, it’s easy to get swept away by the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, gift shopping and spending time with family and friends. Among all the excitement, it’s also important to stop and remember how much there is to be thankful for – and we are truly so thankful for all that we have to celebrate this season!

For parents, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to teach little ones about gratitude and how they can show it to those around them. This month and beyond, we can encourage our children to reflect on all of the golden experiences, accomplishments and FUN they’ve had throughout the year!

Dive into What Your Kids are Grateful For

What better way to discuss gratitude than by bringing the whole family together for a fun activity? Grab a snack, pull up a chair, and get ready to dive into all the incredible things that 2024 has brought your way. For kids, this can include simple things like playdates with friends and trips to the playground, or receiving good report cards and advancing to the next level in swim lessons. This is also a great time to celebrate yourself as a parent for all of your hard work and effort towards helping your kiddos accomplish their big goals and dreams! 

You could also create a vision board to showcase all their great memories from the year—creating perfect artwork for the fridge or their bedroom! Reflecting on all the positive experiences throughout the year helps kids recognize everything they have accomplished, as well as how much there is to be thankful for. (This also sets them up for success in planning goals for 2025!)

How to Help Little Ones Show Their Gratitude

Once you’ve discovered all the things your kids are grateful for, you can guide them on how to express that gratitude, whether it’s to teachers, friends, or even to themselves! 

Here are some ways to encourage gratitude in your kiddos:
Take Time to Appreciate the Little Things: With the busy holiday season approaching, it can be easy to get lost in the chaos. Encourage your children to savor small moments, like watching a movie with their siblings or playing with their favorite toy. These are moments worth appreciating!

Teaching Gratitude Through Praise

Offer Compliments Regularly: Complimenting and praising your children can help them recognize the positive things they do and the impact they have on those around them. *Pro Tip* Acknowledge both their physical achievements and emotional actions—such as mastering a swimming skill AND being kind to their swim lesson buddies while doing it!

Practice What You Preach

Set an Example: Kids are always listening, so let them observe your actions. Little things like saying ‘thank you’ to the cashier or pointing out blessings, such as sunny days, or even small moments that bring joy – maybe the twinkle of the holiday lights on your drive – can be a small ripple that makes big waves! Practice showing that you are grateful in your day-to-day life to encourage them to do the same.

“Fostering gratitude takes so much more than learning to say ‘thank you’ when your child opens holiday gifts. Modeling gratitude is your best bet. Showing appreciation to your spouse, your children, the grocery store attendant, and resisting the urge to badmouth people is huge. 

Helping your kids recognize when they are grateful and helping them learn how to show their gratitude in a variety of ways.”  – Dr. Molly O’Shea, o-FISH-al pediatrician of Goldfish Swim School

Giving Back to Show Gratitude

Give Back: The holiday season offers tons of opportunities to give back! You could write holiday cards for a local nursing home or hospital, or adopt a family in need and donate to their wishlist! Allow your children to choose how they want to give back, to encourage them to think independently and express thankfulness in a way that they feel good about.

Gratitude is the ultimate gift this holiday season (and beyond)—one we can practice towards ourselves and others. Whether you’re celebrating big milestones or appreciating everyday Golden moments, teaching kids to be thankful is a lesson that will stick with them for life! Here’s to a happy holiday season filled with appreciation, generosity and gratitude!