How to Teach Kids the Virtue of Gratitude

This is a sponsored post written by me for SnapShot Postcard. All opinions are mine alone.

Gratitude is surprisingly one of the most difficult concepts to teach kids! Experts have shown that kids are naturally self-centered, so appreciation is a skill that needs to be taught. Grateful kids are not only more polite, but they also learn to be more sensitive to the feelings of others, developing empathy and other important life skills. Ungrateful kids tend to develop a sense of entitlement and an everlasting feeling of disappointment. Today I’ll be sharing some tips on teaching kids the importance of gratitude. From sending a SnapShot Postcard to helping those in need, keep reading for all the details.

With the holiday season upon, many kids get focused on gifts, such as the latest toys and the cutest clothing / accessories. However, make sure you’re encouraging your kids to focus on other aspects of the season. Bake cookies together in the kitchen. Attend a house of worship and focus on the true meaning of the holiday. Enjoy time spent together decorating the house. When you put less emphasis on the gifts, kids will see value in other aspects of the season.

1. Thank others!
One of the simplest – yet most effective – ways to teach kids to be grateful is to encourage them to say “Thank you” for gifts they receive! I recently discovered SnapShot Postcard and it’s an awesome way to transform the boring “thank you” letter into something truly extraordinary. This app makes it possible to send real postcards to real mailboxes right from your smartphone!

This holiday season, how will you say “Thank you” to Grandma, the Cousins and anyone else that gives a gift? Check out SnapShot Postcard and send something they’ll truly cherish for years. It’s so simple to get started with this app – simply start by taking a photo of your child holding the gift (or use any other pose you’d like).

Building customized postcards is fun and easy. Simply upload the photo you took to the SnapShot Postcard app. Then personalize with fun borders and customized text.

Don’t forget to insert a custom message on the back, along with the mailing addresses (of both recipient and sender).

Then click “Send” and the app will mail them off to the recipient! What a fun, unique way to teach kids the importance of gratitude.

Download the app for your Android or Apple device and get started today! Besides just “thank you” notes, you could also use SnapShot Postcard for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and more!

Want to learn more? Watch this video below to see SnapShot Postcard in action:

Ready to give the app a try? Use the following promo code to get one free postcard: EngineerMommy

2. Create a gratitude jar!
Encourage kids to think of little things throughout their day that they appreciate… maybe it was a friend who shared a special toy or maybe it was the fact that you prepared their favorite meal for dinner. Whatever it is, have the child write what they’re grateful for on a little piece of paper and place it inside a dedicated jar. This jar will help the child understand the value of gratitude and also encourage him/her to find more things to be grateful for every day.

3. Give someone else a gift!
One of the best ways for kids to appreciate the things they are given is to have them give something to someone else. Handmade gifts from kids are especially awesome. Even just a drawing made from crayons is enough!

4. Model gratitude!
Kids mimic behavior they see in the adults around them. Show them how you express gratitude through words, writing, and small gifts. Take time to explain that Grandma didn’t need to buy Sophia a new toy… Grandma wanted to! She used her own money to do so, knowing that it would put a smile on Sophia’s face. By explaining all this in detail, you can help your child begin to think gratefully and feel true appreciation.

5. Donate old stuff!
Take time to teach kids that it’s kind to help those that may be less fortunate. By simply donating clothing & toys to those in need, we can make a positive impact in the lives of others. Let kids go through their own closets & playrooms and find things to donate. Finding the value in helping others is a lifelong skill that can be cultivated – starting early is always a good thing!

I hope these tips have inspired you to teach your kids the value of gratitude. Don’t expect gratitude to develop overnight. It takes weeks – even months – of reminders and reinforcement to create a sense of appreciation in kids. Be patient during the process and over time, your child will become more grateful for the things he/she has and receives.

Don’t forget to check out SnapShot Postcard here. How do you teach kids the importance of gratitude?

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