Yes, we talk about gratitude a lot this time of year, yet gratitude is actually a wonderful practice to incorporate into our lives and share with young children all year long. Cultivating gratitude is actually a way of building resilience, meaning that we have what we need internally to recover quickly and get back on our path when life deals us a blow. Break out this gratitude theme class plan with the kids you serve – tomorrow, or at New Year, or in July! Cultivating gratitude is timely all year long!
Start with your favorite opening song and warm-up sequence.
Thank You Bees by Toni Yuly offers lots of movement opportunities. Elongate your exhale as you buzz like bees, balance as you lift into flower, sit in hero and pat the sound of the rain down on your thighs, take a wide-leg stance and spread out into the dirt like roots. Get creative! One of my favorite things I saw a trainee do was have us all go outside and pat the ground to say thank you to the Earth.
Ramp up the energy with the song “Gratitude” by Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips. It’s such a fun and positive song! I like to first talk about what gratitude means and ask the kiddos and families where they feel that feeling of gratitude in their bodies. Inevitably someone says, “heart.” So then I introduce some age-appropriate heart-openers that we feel in our bodies as we dance to the music, like bridge, snake, camel, bow, and dancer. This is definitely a great one to bring out shakers, instruments, or any other props you love!
Whew, we’ve moved a lot! Now’s a great time to snuggle up with our grownups and just listen to a wonderful story on our theme. I recommend Gracias / Thanks by Pat Mora and John Parra.
Before we rest, we can experiment with sharing a gratitude practice. Invite kiddos to think about something that they feel grateful for. Feel how good it feels to hold that gratitude in your heart. Now, imagine sending that wonderful feeling out to your family. Feel it again and imagine sending it out to your friends. Feel it again and imagine sending it out to your neighbors. Feel it one more time and imagine sending it out to everyone, everywhere.
As you rest, you may want to share this amazing rendition of “Give It Away” by Renee and Jeremy, a cover of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers song. Thanks Sarah Smitha for sharing this one!
Finally, here are some phenomenal resources for yourself and for parents on understanding the link between gratitude and resilience, and helping kids to build both.
“Gratitude is the Key to a Joyful Life” by Brené Brown
“Building Resilience in Young Children” from Best Start
“Helping Your Child Express Gratitude” from PBS Parents
What are your favorite ways to share gratitude with preschool kiddos?