Create a Gratitude Jar
Gratitude has been shown to improve our lives in several areas. Showing gratitude opens the door to better relationships, improves physical and mental health, enhances empathy and reduces aggression, helps us sleep, improves self-esteem, and increases mental strength. Gratitude reduces stress and helps us overcome difficult situations. Grati- tude is not always our first response in situations so it helps to practice gratitude daily.
Fill up a jar with written prompts. The prompts can be typed or handwritten on small slips of paper or even on jumbo wooden craft sticks. Fill free to add stickers, color, or anything to make it a bit more fun. Reflect on your own responses, and encourage children to talk about or journal their responses. Have a conversation with your children about their responses. Below is a list of possible prompts.
- Something beautiful I am grateful for is…
- A memory I am grateful for is…
- Something that is funny I am grateful for is…
- Something money can’t buy I am grateful for is…
- Something in nature I am grateful for is…
- Something that is useful I am grateful for is…
- Something that smells amazing I am grateful for is…
- Something I did yesterday that I am grateful for is…
- My favorite place I am grateful for is…
- Something that I love to eat and I am grateful for is…
- Something that makes a beautiful sound and I am grateful for is…
- Something new I am grateful for is…
- Something unique about me I am grateful for is…
- The people I am grateful for are…
You can also make a Courage Jar with prompts like “Be brave, be bold, be you” or a Kindness Jar with prompts like “Tell someone that you love them.”