November is for Gratitude and Joy
You probably already know that the feelings of gratitude and joy often go hand in hand. When we express and receive gratitude, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that lift our mood immediately! Here are some other benefits of a regular gratitude practice (taken from this article on Positive Psychology, if you’re interested):
Gratitude helps us build a more optimistic point of view, allowing us to experience more positive thoughts and emotions. Optimistic kids are more resilient and better able to deal with struggle and disappointment!
Practicing gratitude helps reduce stress and anxiety, leading to better sleep, feeling more energized and aware, and a stronger immune system.
Regular gratitude practices increase self-esteem, confidence, communication skills, and empathy.
Expressing gratitude to the people in our lives helps to build stronger, happier relationships.
The more we practice having an attitude of gratitude, the more our brains learn to recognize and focus on it, making it second nature, and cultivating an enduring grateful and positive nature within ourselves 💛
Gratitude through Movement
Encourage children to think about gratitude for their bodies and minds by stating these affirmations during a Sun Salutation practice!
In Mountain Pose: I am grateful for my smart and creative mind.
In Hello Sun Pose: I am grateful for lungs that fill me with fresh air.
In Ragdoll Pose: I am grateful for strong legs, that take me where I want to go.
In Plank Pose: I am grateful for challenges that make me stronger.
In Cobra Pose: I am grateful for my heart full of love.
In Downward Dog Pose: I am grateful to be able to move and play.
Talking About Gratitude
A Gratitude Game
If we want children to build a habit of noticing the things they have to be thankful for, we have to talk about the things they’re grateful for! I’ve made a freebie to help you do just that. You can download it here!
One page of this download uses colors, so you could use scarves, toys, colored yoga mats (I’m envisioning a musical mats kind of game), or even candy - Skittles have the same colors 😜
The other pages uses numbers, so you could use a die or number cards on the floor.
I’ve been using this game in my kid’s classes this week, and answers have come up that are hilarious, silly, thoughtful, and heart-warming. Aside from helping us focus on gratitude, it has also made a lovely community building activity, as we get to learn more about each other and the things that make us happy!
I’ve created a whole bundle of gratitude themed activities!
Over in my store, you’ll find Growing Gratitude: a bundle of creative pages for developing gratitude and kindness. This bundle includes:
A fall coloring sheet with the affirmation “I am grateful”
A simple gratitude journal
3 journaling prompts, with plenty of space to write or draw your responses
A page to draw and write down the special moments that make you feel happy
4 cute thank you notes for children to write on, cut out, and deliver to the people they’re thankful for
A leaf tracing and breathing activity
And a guided meditation, written by me, to help children feel calm, grounded, and thankful for their minds and bodies!
Music
I think music is an essential part of all things! I’ve created a Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify, so you’ll find songs about turkeys, food, gratitude, and joy 🎶
Thanksgiving Songs for Kids! 🦃
Here are my favorites:
Mr. Turkey by Patina Jackson (an awesome movement break!)
Things I’m Thankful For by JJ Heller (a slow and sweet song, perfect for savasana)
Thankful by The Juicebox Jukebox
Gratitude Song by Miss Julieann
Turkey Turkey by Big Block Singsong (this one just cracks me up 😆)
Books
Books are such an excellent way to help kids really connect to the character strengths that we want to help them develop. Plus, stories introduce them to so many different characters, situations, and ideas, helping them learn to see the world with empathy and an open mind! Here is a list of stories that really focus on gratitude and joy.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Tiny Perfect Things by M. H. Clark
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
Spoon by Amy Rosenthal
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
All the World by Liz Scanlon
Gracias / Thanks by Pat Mora
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude by Miranda Paul
The Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray
Apple Cake: a Gratitude by Dawn Casey
Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you spread some gratitude to the kiddos in your life! What other character traits would like to see here? Do you have gratitude practices that you love? Lemme know! And if you’d like, you can give me a follow on the ‘gram, where I share other ideas for sharing yoga, movement, and mindfulness with kids.
