2022 Education magazine

Page 50 2022 Education Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS February / March 2022 • Write thank you notes together to a loved one, and let your children add a picture of their own. As your children get older, encourage them to write their own thank you cards or make gifts for people in their lives. 5 Gratitude Exercises for Children Keep a Gratitude Journal By keeping a gratitude journal, children can learn to notice the good things in their lives. For children who can write, you can findgratitude journal printable templates here, or use prompts like theseto help your child start their own. Younger children can draw in a journal, or they may express themselves as children do in the early stages of development—through scribble writing or by writing letters that match some of the sounds in the words. They may also use invented, approximate spellings. In a journal, any expression is great. For this activity, focus on the idea and not the accuracy of the writing. Start a Morning Gratitude Routine cSome simple, regular routines can help build a sense of gratitude. At mealtime, each family member can say what they’re grateful for that day. Or in the morning, children can start the day stating what they’re grateful for. This can help children begin on the right foot and set the mood for the rest of the day. Make a Gratitude Tree A gratitude tree is a fun craft that’s perfect for preschoolers. Your children can cut out “leaves” from construction paper, and write what they’re grateful for on each leaf. It can be anything, from family members or pets to something they like to do. Write Poems About Gratitude Reading or writing poems about gratitude is a fun family activity that can encourage a child’s creative spirit. Here are a few poems about Thanksgiving that are perfect to share with children. Make a Gratitude Box or Jar This is a simple craft that helps children gather tangible evidence of how much they have to be grateful for. Any box or jar will do, but you can craft a special one if you want. Each day, help your child write what they’re grateful for on a slip of paper and put it in the box or jar. At the end of the month, or on a special day, take out the paper and read each piece with your child. This article is brought to you by Waterford. Waterford is a school and home programs provider. Visit Waterford for more information. https://www.waterford.org/professional- services/ Parents can visit Waterford’s resources page for more family ideas. https://www.waterford . org/resources/