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Learning Together Joyfully: September –  Attitude of Gratitude – Part 1

Welcome to educators, parents, care-givers and grandparents. What is gratitude and why is it so important to teach to our children? Gratitude means realizing the power you have to transform an obstacle into an opportunity. It means reframing a loss into a potential gain or recasting negativity into positive channels of gratitude. The good news is that gratitude — a feeling that can be expressed through thankfulness, kindness, good manners, doing chores, mindfulness, volunteering, helping others and giving — is a habit and attitude that can be modelled, practiced and taught by parents and educators. The following ideas and activities will hopefully assist you to work together to develop an attitude of gratitude at home and in the classroom.

Read children’s books about gratitude to help nurture appreciation, generosity, empathy, kindness and other prosocial skills. This lens into learning through literacy helps children better understand themselves and others, as they learn about how to practice compassion and empathy. As stories are read and characters introduced, children gain insights into the actions of characters’ and how they handle and apply different social-emotional skills. Through effective questioning and discussion about these books, adults can support children to have an attitude of gratitude.

1.  Read together 📚 

  • The Grateful book by Angela Kohler. The story inspires discussions between adults and children about gratitude, helping both to focus on gratitude as a practice, and learning that we should not take the world around us for granted. Perfect for even small children, the concept of gratitude is grounded in tangible and universal experience, reminding us all that we have so much for which to be grateful.
  • When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. This graphic novel follows the real-life story of two young Somali brothers coming of age in a refugee camp. The story explores the difficulties and grief that Omar and Hassan share, but it also communicates their resilience through unspeakable hardship as well as their love and loyalty for each other. Recipient of the National Book Award.
  • Those Shoes by Maribeth Beolts. Everyone at school has a pair of fancy high-top sneakers and Jeremy really wants a pair of his own. But what he needs and what his grandmother can afford, are new boots for winter. A heartwarming story that teaches the value of selflessness and appreciating what one has. 
  • Thank-you, Mr Falker by Patricia Polacco, now a beloved children’s author, but once, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school who could paint and draw beautifully, but found words to be a jumble on a page. A very special teacher, Mr. Falker recognized Trisha’s dyslexia and supported her to overcome her reading disability. This is a real-life, classic story teaching compassion for a dyslexic girl and appreciation for the teacher who would not let her fail.
  • The Grumbles; A Story about Gratitude by Tricia Goyer. The Grumble family tried not to complain but bills and laundry and sibling squabbles kept everyone rumbling. When Grandma Grateful comes for a visit, things change as she spreads an attitude of gratitude. 
  • White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio. When Julian is assigned to write a school report about his family history, he interviews his grandmother, who tells him of growing up in France during WWII and receiving life-saving shelter from a boy she and her friends had previously ignored. A poignant and beautiful graphic novel that inspires gratitude for friendship, forgiveness and everyday heroism.
  • The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera. When Grace sets out to write thank you letters for her birthday gifts, she realizes that she mustn’t only say thank you for presents — there are so many things to be thankful for! She thanks the teacher who helped her learn to read, the sky for being blue, and even her dog for wagging his tail. The result? Her thoughtful notes spark showers of gratitude, and one community is joyful as thankfulness embraces the town.

INDIGENOUS STORIES

  • The First Day: A Story of Courage by Katherena Vermette. Makwa is going to a new school in the city and he doesn’t want to. How will he face his first day? His mother reminds him that being scared is part of being brave. The Seven Teachings of the Anisinaabe – love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty and truth – are revealed in this seven-book series about home and family. Set in an urban landscape with Indigenous children as the central characters, these stories are about home and family. 
  • Giving Thanks by Leah Marie Dorion. This book is about many things for which the Metis Elders are grateful. This anthology brings together a diverse group of poets who express gratitude for everything from a puppy to hot cocoa to the sky itself. Each writer uses a different poetic form, and readers will encounter a concrete poem, a sonnet, a pantoum, a sijo, and much more.
  • The Sharing Circle by Theresa Larsen-Jonasson. When two red foxes have an argument which breaks apart their community, a gentle buffalo decides to take a braid of sweetgrass to a local elder and asks her to help with a sharing circle for all the animals.
  • The Orange Shirt Story; The True Story of Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad.When Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) turned six, she went to the residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. It is also the story of Orange Shirt Day (an important day of remembrance for First Nations and non First Nations Canadians). This true story also inspired the movement of Orange Shirt Day which could become a federal statutory holiday. Listen to Phyllis Webstad explain about how and why she started Orange Shirt Day.

READ ALOUDS

  • Thank-you Omu! by Oge Mora is about being generous. Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu”s delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent and one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
  • Thanks a Ton! by Sabrina Moyle. This is a story about gratitude and shows kids many different ways to express thankfulness. 
  • You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith prompts a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with others. This foundational book is about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.
  •  Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins. (4:09  mins.)Who knew that cakes were so rude? In this deliciously entertaining book, a not-so-sweet cake—who never says please or thank you or listens to its parents—gets its just desserts. Mixing hilarious text and pictures, this laugh-out-loud story can also be served up as a delectable discussion starter about manners or bullying, as it sweetly reminds us that even the rudest cake can change its ways. 
  • The Sharing Circle by Theresa Larsen-Jonasson. When two red foxes have an argument which breaks apart their community, a gentle buffalo decides to take a braid of sweetgrass to a local elder and asks her to help with a sharing circle for all the animals.

SONGS

Listening to music has been correlated to increased happiness, a sense of wellbeing and an ability to pay attention. What fun to have a house or classroom (or your head) filled with songs of gratitude, being thankful and manners. Reading the book Rude Cakes above or singing about manners, may provide an opportunity to discuss why we have them and shared expectations in practicing them at home or in the classroom. Singing provides an opportunity to not only model but explain the importance of manners. Click on the links below and sing along!

Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and enjoy better relationships. When gratitude is part of children’s everyday lives, it’s an easier concept for them to understand and internalize. You may wish to talk about things you’re thankful for regularly with children in the classroom or at home around the dinner table or before going to bed. Gratitude is a skill that requires fostering so it becomes a positive way of looking at life and increases children’s happiness, empathy, thankfulness and calmness. Drawing, constructing and doing crafts can provide a “healthy dose” for children to find happiness, to be calm and to potentially create something to share and give to someone else. As long as children are learning how to be appreciative and give back, we are helping them build a grateful attitude towards life.

2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Singing, Drawing and Constructing 🧩 

Mindfulness is the awareness that arises when we intentionally observe, describe, participate, attend and focus on the present in a kind, open, and discerning way. It is both a practice and a way of relating to life which enables us to stay more connected to the people around us.. When we are mindful, we focus on the present moment non-judgmentally. Mindfulness involves accessing all of our senses, and is a perfect introduction for children to fully engage in and appreciate their surroundings, physical abilities as well as tap into their feelings of gratitude.

3. Explore together 🌍

  • 15 Sensory Activities to teach mindfulness. Sensory play can be anything that involves the sense of sight, smell, sound, taste, touch and even internal emotions and physical movement. With some conversational prompting any sensory activity can teach mindfulness.
  • As we support children to become more mindful of their behaviours and guide them to self-regulate, consider this drawing and cutting activity to manage and promote their Self-Control or to better control their Anger or teach them how to make and use Calm Down Jars.  
  • Either at home, throughout the entire school or in the classroom, consider engaging in mindful Mindful Music Moments. 
  • Raisin Meditation engages children to use all of their senses in this mindful activity.
  • Looking for an inclusive cooperative version of tag? Kids will enjoy playing Magic Wand Tag
  • Interested in an enjoyable Fall activity with animals? Schedule a visit to your local farm or if in the lower mainland visit  Maplewood Farm when the leaves are turning, the cider is hot and pumpkins are plentiful. It’s the perfect season to visit Rosie, the Sicilian miniature donkey, and Fluffy, one of the farm’s giant New Zealand white rabbits.
  • Another family or classroom fall activity you might consider — head to a nearby park or wooded area and have a picnic with the changing leaves. Download Leafsnap App Download for iOS device, a free mobile app that helps identify tree species from photographs of their leaves. If you are in the lower mainland and are not sure where to go check out the best places to see fall colours around Vancouver
  • What better fun then to go through the Chiliwack Corn Maze as children and adults find the joy around them and stay present as you wander through to avoid confusion and taking wrong turns. This year “The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth” is featured as a walking storyboard in the maze. “The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth” was written by adventure photographer Chris Burkard, and illustrated by Disney Interactive artist David McClellan. It is a beautiful story of a boy looking for happiness and the magic that happens when you take the time to stand still, be present and mindful of your remarkable surroundings.
  • Head to a Pumpkin Patch and let children pick their own pumpkin. You may even have time for more farm fun activities like petting zoos and hayrides at one of these  Vancouver’s pumpkin patches.

Although responsiveness and affection are signs of great parenting, it is important for children to understand that there are boundaries and limits. If children feel entitled to all of their privileges, it will be more challenging for them to feel grateful. Boundaries are essentially about understanding and respecting our own needs, as well as being respectful and understanding of the needs of others. For that to work, it is important to place an emphasis on helping children to develop greater empathy and self-awareness. 

4. Engage and Interact: 👭 

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Mindfulness and An Attitude of Gratitude – Part 1 💭

Upcoming October Blog : Attitude of Gratitude – Part 2

October 8, 2021

 

2 Replies to “September: Attitude of Gratitude – Part 1”

  1. A superb issue! So many wonderful resources listed. I particularly loved the songs. I will share this widely.
    Thanks for putting this helpful newsletter together.

    1. Thanks for sharing the newsletter with some of your UBC contacts. Greatly appreciate the feedback and support!

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