COVID-19 times has made practising gratitude activities for everyone, especially children important. Just like physical health, taking care of our mental health is just as important. As adults, it is our duties to teach children about the importance of the same, starting with gratitude.
What is gratitude?
Gratitude refers to the feeling of being thankful towards someone or something and showing appreciation for it and kindness to others. There are two components when it comes to gratitude:
- One is affirming goodness and positivity. We declare that we do have positive, safe and kind energy in our lives.
- Another is that we recognize the fact that the good things and gifts we receive come from outside of us; that other things and people have helped us achieve something good in our lives. We can feel this gratitude towards someone else or to a higher power (if you are spiritual).
It is usually given in a social, religious or psychological context. Gratitude is not just about thanking a higher power for saving you from dark times; it is also about being thankful for the light in your life.
Gratitude is a powerful thing that lifts us above the negativity lurking in our lives and makes us focus on the positive aspects. Such acts are done unconditionally and selflessly, which further reinforces the idea of being loving, caring and helpful towards others.
How can we teach children gratitude?
School is one of the most important places in a child’s life. It is responsible for the holistic development of its students in both curriculum and non-curriculum spheres. Schools equip their students to deal effectively with the outside world on their own. This makes it the biggest teacher of practising gratitude.
It doesn’t take much. Assemblies are a part of the students daily routine. Incorporating gratitude assembly ideas every day helps form the habit of practising gratitude within children. Here are some things you can do at your assembly:
- As the students to put on a play on the importance of saying thank you.
- Say a prayer every day (relevant to gratitude)
- Tell the students a story and ask them relevant questions to it to make them think about gratitude
- Ask everyone, students and teachers alike, to close there eyes, take deep breaths and focus on at least three things they are grateful for on that day. This can be done for two minutes each day.
- Students can be asked to be creative and present songs and posters as well.
Go beyond
Gratitude can be practised anyone, irrespective of their age, sex, ethnic origin, race etc. The activities mentioned above are for everyone to actively participate in. We can only teach what we preach when we practice it ourselves.
Imagine a world where we teach our children to be grateful and actively practice gratitude. Not only will they be equipped to find the silver lining during hard times, but they will also be able to pass that positivity and strength down to others, creating a warmer and happier world.
COVID-19 times has made practising gratitude activities for everyone, especially children important.
Just like physical health, taking care of our mental health is just as important.
As adults, it is our duties to teach children about the importance of the same, starting with gratitude.
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