Greetings

Hello everyone, welcome to our November newsletter! As always, we provide an overview of what is happening within our childcare community. This month, we will focus on fostering gratitude in children.

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can transform our lives, and it’s a trait we should nurture from an early age. Teaching children to be grateful can help them develop a more positive and resilient attitude, improve their relationships, and lead to greater overall happiness. 

Why is Gratitude Important for Children?

Before listing down strategies to instil gratitude in children, here are some of the reasons why gratitude is so important for a child’s emotional and psychological development:

1. Enhanced Mental Well-being

Grateful children tend to experience higher levels of happiness and life satisfactions. They are more resilient in the face of adversity, cope better with setbacks, and have lower rates of depression and anxiety.

2. Improved Social Relationships

Gratitude is the foundation of healthy social interactions. Children who express thanks and appreciation exhibit kindness and understand the value and importance of the most simplest things in life.

3. Positive Outlook on Life

Children who express gratitude tend to focus more on the brighter side of life. It encourages them to appreciate the positive aspects of their life and helps them become more optimistic. This contributes to a higher self-esteem and motivation to accomplish their goals.

4. Teaches Empathy

Practising gratitude helps children consider others’ feelings and needs more. It gives them an understanding of their privileges compared to other people and peers.

Strategies for Instilling Gratitude in Children

Gratitude needs to be instilled and practised daily in order for it to become a habit and strong component of a child’s personality. Here are some strategies to inculcate gratitude in children.

1. Be a role model.

Children learn best by observing the behaviour of adults in their surroundings. More often than not, it’s how adults behave that sticks to children’s minds and influences them more than what adults say. If parents and caregivers model gratitude, children are more likely to adopt the same mindset. Expressing gratitude for both small and big acts of kindness helps children emulate this behaviour when they are on the receiving end of favours, big or small.

2. Start early.

Introduce the concept of gratitude to children at a young age. Teach them to say “thank you” when they receive gifts or acts of kindness. Early exposure to gratitude helps them develop the habit of expressing appreciation.

3. Do daily gratitude rituals.

Create daily rituals that highlight gratitude. During meals or bedtime, encourage everyone in the family to share something they are grateful for that day. This practice helps children habitualise examining their day and expressing gratitude and appreciation for the day’s accomplishments.

4. Perform acts of kindness.

Engage children in acts of kindness, such as helping others or donating toys or clothing to those in need. By actively participating in these activities, they learn the joy of giving and helping others.

5. Veer away from materialism.

Promote an attitude of contentment over the constant pursuit of material possessions. Limit the frequency of acquiring new things such as clothes, toys, and other material possessions. Practise independence from materialism by donating clothes or toys that they no longer need.

6. Show appreciation for effort.

Recognise and appreciate children’s effort and hard work. It’s important to value their diligence and determination rather than focusing on the end result.

7. Read books and stories that centre on gratitude.

Select children’s books and other child-appropriate content that centre around gratitude. These narratives help reinforce the concept of gratefulness and its importance.

8. Volunteer together.

Volunteering together as a family is a powerful way to inspire children to give back to their community as a way to express their gratitude. Engaging in age-appropriate activities help children become part of the action and learn from the experiences.

9. Teach perspective.

Helping children understand not everyone is afforded the same opportunities and privileges they have helps them appreciate what they have and be empathetic toward those who may have less. Encouraging children to consider the perspectives of others from different backgrounds helps them become more grateful and appreciative of their own circumstances.

The Takeaway

Fostering gratitude in children is a journey that can positively impact their lives for years to come. By following these strategies and creating a supportive environment, you can instil a sense of gratitude and positivity in your children. Grateful children are more likely to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. 

As parents, caregivers, and educators, it’s our responsibility to sow the seeds of gratitude in the next generation, ensuring a brighter, more compassionate future for all. Teach children the power of gratitude and guide them toward a happier and more fulfilling life.

0-12 month development

Why Is My Baby Snoring?

Author: Sarah Bradley

Have you noticed your baby slightly snoring in their sleep? As your little one gets their zzz’s in, this snoring might happen a couple of times at night as babies as nose breathers. Sometimes, it is due to their soft larynx that’s still developing and vibrating more or sometimes, it’s just nasal congestion.

See what you can do to help your baby breathe more easily and snore less frequently here.

1-2 year development

Shouting at children can be as damaging as physical or sexual abuse, study says

Author: Denis Campbell

A new study has found out that a parent raising their voice, telling children negative comments such as “stupid” and “lazy” may affect them for life. Studies show children who are on the receiving end of these disparaging comments suffer from persistent psychological problems and relational difficulties.

Know more about the consequences of shouting at a child here. 

2-3 year development

Fumes from Indoor Cooking Fuels Linked to Developmental Delays

Author: David Hill 

A University of Buffalo research shows that smoke that comes from cooking fuels, whether it’s natural gas, wood or propane, are associated with developmental delays in young children. As young children tend to be indoors more frequently, inhaling these passive smoke from cooking fuels causes children to be behind their peers in all five developmental domains.

Find out more about these domains and the effect of inhaling fumes from cooking fuels on young children here.

3-4 year development

What the *#@%?! How to respond when your child swears

Author: Elisa Cinelli

Children are like sponges; they absorb everything from their environment and they have no filter in what they absorb. Due to this, sometimes they blurt out swear words in the most unexpected places. When your child blurts out a swear word innocently and without intending harm, there are ways to deal with it in an informative and responsive manner.

Find ways on how to respond when your child uses swear words in this article.

4-5 year development

‘That’s getting a bit wild, kids!’ Why children love to play-fight and why it is good for them

Author: Emily Freeman

There comes a phase when children start  play-fighting and become chaotic and wild in their plays. While for parents and caregivers, it might seem a bit worrying at times but for kids, it’s all about having good fun with their buddies, even if it looks a bit too rough at times. It also helps their physical development in terms of balance, agility, strength, and coordination alongside their nonverbal communication skills and emotion regulation skills.   

Find out more about how you can support your child play-fighting with good boundaries here.

Long-Lasting Gingerbread Ornaments

In this activity, kids will learn how to create sustainable, long-lasting and unique gingerbread ornaments. They’ll be exercising their measuring skills, engaging their fine motor skills and having great fun designing and molding their own gingerbread decor in time for the holidays!

Find steps on how to create long-lasting gingerbread ornaments here.

Easy Christmas Tree Symmetry Craft

In this holiday STEM craft, teach children all about symmetry while honing their fine motor skills as they follow and cut through a traceline to produce a symmetrical Christmas tree! The end result can simply be left as a Christmas tree standee decor or you can turn it into a unique Christmas greeting card.

Find the instructions on how to create a symmetrical Christmas tree here.

Christmas tree fizzy painting

If you’re making the symmetrical Christmas tree, why not decorate it using this STEM activity where kids get to learn about the chemistry concept of fizzing! Kids simply practise their fine motor skills painting their symmetrical christmas tree before adding vinegar using a pipette to start the fizzy action. 

Find the steps on how to start a Christmas tree fizzy painting session here.

Christmas Tree Chromatography

Another variation to Christmas greeting card craft, have kids develop more of their fine motor skills by decorating a paper towel Christmas tree using colourful markers before misting it with a water spray bottle. 

Find instructions on how to make these colourful Christmas trees here.