What if there was a daily practice that could help your kids be happier throughout their lives? In fact, there is! It’s called Gratitude Journaling, and it’s a simple practice that leads to increased happiness. The Gratitude Journal is a guide to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for children. It is a self exploration journal designed to focus on being thankful for what we have, the big things in life, as well as the simple joys. Each well designed and kid-friendly daily spread contains space to list out three things you are thankful for, a person who brought you joy and how you felt about your day. If you start each day by writing down three things you are thankful for – a family, a favorite teacher, starting a good book – you begin each day on the right note. Do it daily and make it a habit to focus on the blessings you have been given! Grab a copy for a friend and share the journey together!
Parents – Instructions for you.
How to help your child write a Gratitude Journal
There truly is no wrong way to fill a gratitude journal, but here are some tips to teach your children the value of appreciation:
- Explain them.
- When first starting out, it’s best to convey what gratitude is the best way you can to your kids by showing them examples of what you are grateful for and what others are grateful for. Encourage them to be specific.
- Try to get your kids to be personal with their answers. Tell your child to focus on the people in their lives or experiences that they are thankful for instead of physical objects.
- If they get stuck and can’t think of anything to write, ask them to consider what their lives would be like without certain people or things. This can spark some deep thankfulness!
- Remember that gratitude can be expressed artistically, as well. Your kids can scribble, draw, paint or color in their journals to represent what they are thankful for.
- Keeping a gratitude journal is only part of the process, helping your kids develop a habit of Journaling regularly is just as important.
- Journal together.