5 Ways to Build An Attitude of Gratitude | Richmond, BC Daycare

More and More in our world is an attitude of "I want" and "I want more", and our children are becoming more "self-centered" because of this. So how do you raise an appreciative and thankful child ?


1. Start with the Basics - teach your kids basic manners, modeling for them and teaching your children to say Thank You and Excuse Me - this is the foundations of appreciation.



2. Giving away old clothes and toys to someone in need.
There is nothing like being able to let your kids see how giving away their
possessions can bring joy to to someone. It is a way to teach the attitude
of being a "servant".

3. The Christmas Shoe box
Have your whole family be apart of this together.
Decide a budget of what you will spend from saving up money during the year with them, either from chores, or allowance or by recycling.
Then go shopping at a near by Dollar Store and fill the boxes up and mail it
away.


4. Give them Responsibility - Its hard to appreciate other people's hard work
and effort if you haven't been on the giving end yourself. Increasing
your childs contribution moves the interest off of themselves and onto
others and the world



5. Combat the Gimmes - What do you do when your child keeps asking
"Can I have this ? " Learning how to say "NO", will help curve "Passive
Consumerism" (This is the little purchases all through the week we
forget about.) The reality is that our kids "get-get-get" all the time.
This may in fact help in our kids NOT APPRECIATING what they have. 




*** Partially take from Todays Parents Dec. 2010 - Pg55-60