Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach your children about the importance of giving thanks. Thank you is becoming an endangered word, because of its infrequent use.  Volunteerism and charity is being reinforced more in schools but many charities remain in need of more help. Here are some simple ways to teach your children the importance of giving thanks and helping others.

Send a thank you Text or Tweet

Children learn by seeing. Watching you write a thank you text or Tweet or, hearing you make a call on your cell phone to someone to thank them will allow your children to learn by example.

Show children the meaning of the word thank you

Here are some ways to help your children gain a knowledge and appreciation for giving thanks to others through volunteerism and charity.

• Arrange for your children to gather used toys, clothes, video games or other items to donate to a charity.
• Volunteer at a charity. If your children see you devoting your time to a charity they will be much more likely to do so when they grow up. If it’s appropriate take your children with you.
• Take a warm meal to an elderly relative or neighbor. Let the children help you prepare the meal. 
• Visit elderly relatives during the holidays. This is a win-win because wise older relatives often have a lot of wisdom to pass along to younger generations.

The simplest way to remind children to give thanks and be thankful is to remind them how much they have to be thankful for and to remind them that there are others in the world that need our help.