There's A Simple Way That Makes Children Happy, According To Experts: Teach Gratitude

Illustration of happy mother and daughter (Unsplash/Fernanda Greppe)

JAKARTA – Buying children toys, sometimes is not the most appropriate way to make the baby feel happy. According to family therapists and parenting experts, teaching children to be grateful can be a simple way to make them happier.

Reported by Psychology Today, Tuesday, November 23, the concepts of gratitude and appreciation need to be taught by parents to their children. They do not know when and how to use the concept as an invaluable attitude that makes life happier.

With gratitude, children can feel an appreciation for life, respect others, appreciate what they have, and appreciate what others have given. Citing a review by Meri Wallace, LSCW., teaching gratitude – or gratitude – into children's daily lives can help them manage cravings.

According to Wallace's recommendation, this is how to teach children about gratitude.

Practice in everyday life

Parents are models imitated by children. So, gratitude needs to be applied by parents and even all family members at home. Say thank you for a kind gesture, word, or gift received.

Express gratitude to others

Teach children about joy, can be by expressing gratitude to others. Ask your child to thank a friend or relative for a gift or good deed.

Create routine moments for a good day

Good days filled with gratitude need to be made regularly in order to build good habits. Like making a moment every month, for example by helping a friend or doing other good things.

Read a book

Books can be a source of knowledge and even media to narrate stories that teach children about gratitude.

Discuss about gratitude

Quoting The Every Mom page, talking about gratitude makes children understand after identifying. Teach first what things make a person worthy of gratitude. Sometimes a sunny day and the sun shines warmly also need to be grateful, meaning tell what good things are experienced. Then feel and say gratitude so that the child gets used to doing it.

Wallace explained, if a child feels sad, the life skill that needs to be taught to him is gratitude. Because gratitude can change your mood quickly and thinking about what you have feels more valuable.