Why Gratitude Matters and How to Instill it in Children

Many parents and teachers strive to teach children to explore with their hands, hearts, and minds, to notice, reflect, and find joy in meaningful moments. Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to extend that philosophy beyond the classroom and into the realm of gratitude.

Why Gratitude Matters

Gratitude helps children recognize abundance, not in things, but in relationships, experiences, and acts of kindness. When children pause to reflect on what they’re thankful for, a warm home, a caring friend, a teacher’s encouragement, they begin to see life through a lens of appreciation rather than expectation.

This mindset builds emotional resilience, empathy, and self-awareness, qualities that many parents and educators strive to nurture daily. Gratitude teaches children that joy isn’t something we wait to receive; it’s something we practice.

Christmas as a Season of Reflection

Amid the excitement of lights, presents, and parties, children benefit from gentle, daily moments of reflection. A short gratitude practice before lunch, circle time, or at the end of the day helps them slow down and connect with the deeper meaning of the season, love, kindness, and community.

One simple practice you can try at home or in the classroom:

Have each child share one thing that made them smile today, one thing that made them think, and one act of kindness they noticed. This not only builds verbal expression but also cultivates emotional vocabulary and awareness.

A Simple Tool to Guide the Journey

To help families and classrooms bring this practice to life, I created the Christmas Gratitude Journal

for Kids, a 25-day guided journey of reflection, creativity, and kindness. What it is NOT is an empty journal with the same thing on every two pages like many other low-content journals. In this journal is a 2-page section each day which includes writing prompts, coloring activities, and small “kindness missions” that help children celebrate what truly matters during the holidays. You will also find four pages in the beginning with clear instructions, along with a parent/teacher guide at the end and a certificate of completion.

It’s designed for ages 7–12 and works beautifully in Montessori environments that value reflection, independence, and emotional intelligence.

You can find it now on Amazon by CLICKING HERE.

But I want to give a copy away, FREE of charge, and I will pay the shipping. Everyone who leaves a reply to this post that you want to be considered will go into a drawing for a copy of my new journal.

Let’s make this Christmas not just merry, but mindful. When we teach children to give thanks, we give them a skill that lasts a lifetime.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Corbett is an award-winning author, international keynote speaker, and nationally recognized parent educator known for his practical and compassionate approach to raising children.

He is the author of the acclaimed book and parent education course Love, Limits & Lessons: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Cooperative Kids, and in 2011 he founded Cooperative Kids Publishing, where he continues to produce books and workbooks designed to help families and educators nurture cooperation and confidence in children.

Bill has delivered keynotes and workshops across the U.S. and abroad, most recently presenting the opening keynote at a national education conference in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. His insights on parenting and child behavior have reached wide audiences through his roles as executive producer and host of numerous radio and television talk shows, including Parent Talk (formerly on the Clear Channel network) and the long-running public access series Creating Cooperative Kids.

With blogs and podcasts attracting over 10,000 subscribers, Bill continues to share practical, evidence-based strategies for parents, caregivers, and professionals. His methodology emphasizes respectful communication, emotional connection, and age-appropriate expectations, all grounded in the principles of positive discipline.

Bill holds a degree in Clinical Psychology and is the proud father of three children, grandfather of six, and great-grandfather of two. "After years of teaching, speaking, and raising my own family, I’ve learned that gratitude is at the heart of every loving relationship. My hope is that The Christmas Gratitude Journal for Children" helps families slow down, share moments that matter, and pass the gift of gratitude on to the next generation."