7 Easy Ways to Teach Your Children to be Grateful for What They Have by

Here are some easy ways to incorporate instilling the virtue of gratitude in your children. As you go through your day, show them, the wonderful events going on behind the scenes that we all most usually take for granted.
1. Set the Right Example.
It is best if you teach your children, by using the appropriate words (like thank you and please), at the right times yourself. It is through example that kids learn best, and teaching gratitude is no different than anything else in that respect. Children earn what they live - or rather what you live.
2. Teach It Through Role Playing.
You can play games with your children that implement the virtue of gratitude. Play the second chair and practice showing them how it feels to be on the receiving end of an unexpected, "Thank You!"
3. Teach by Showing Them How to Be of Service to Others.
Even simple things, such as holding a door for an elderly person, are small ways we can show children how others appreciate us and our actions. It is also a way to put a smile and a lift into a stranger's day, which always creates a good feeling within the person who is doing the kind act as well.
4. Make a List.
An easy way for teach gratitude is to get your children to make lists of what they are thankful for. Let them pick out a notebook that expresses their personality and maybe buy them a special pencil for it. Making the process of gratitude a sacred event from the beginning will create lifelong habits.
5. Teach Gratitude While Going Without Things.
A power outage, caused by a wind storm, is an ideal opportunity for us to teach our children what they have to be thankful for that they normally take for granted. Simple things like, lights, heat, and being able to watch TV, are just a few that quickly came to mind.
6. Show them How to Be Thankful for the Little Things in Life.
Simple examples could include; having food to eat all the time, friends to play with, and having plenty of toys and school supplies. Showing them examples of third world country children who go without these things is a way of teaching them appreciation for what they have, too.
7. Teach them to see the good in someone they don't like.
When I think of this, immediately what comes to mind is the Walt Disney movie, "PollyAnna" where she played the "Glad" game and found many things to be grateful for in every situation she encountered. Renting this video, watching and discussing it with them would be a great, gratitude building quality time family activity.
As you go through your day, show your children the wonderful events going on behind the scenes that we all most usually take for granted. Things like the police, who protect us, the firemen who are there for those who need them, and the clerk at the grocery store doing her job to help us get our food. Taking a moment to say a simple thank you for all of these daily activities is the easiest way to role model appreciation that your children will learn from and emulate.