As we near the upcoming holidays, families look forward to gathering together for meals and warm company. While celebrating our annual traditions, this is also a perfect time of year to take the opportunity to nurture gratitude in our homes, our schools, and workplaces with those around us. And what a perfect time to begin this fostering of gratitude in our children.

Gratitude is such a blessing and opportunity to acknowledge what is good about our lives relationships, special moments each day, and for all we have.

It is a beautiful thing to teach children from a young age that the simple act of noticing what is special around us, can create joy, empathy and true joy.

One way to foster gratitude naturally, is to make it part of daily life. A simple family ritual such as sharing one thing each person is thankful for at mealtime or at bedtime, can open hearts and spark meaningful conversation. Elaborating on your child’s gratitude and discussing why they feel grateful for something, can deepen their feelings and bond you together.

Creative activities also make gratitude memorable. Inviting your child to draw pictures or journal about the things they love and feel grateful for can be a special way to share their feelings. Some families create a thankful jar, where everyone adds notes of appreciation throughout the month of November and reads them together while celebrating the holidays.

Additionally, practicing turning gratitude into an active display of kindness is a great way to promote the golden rule.

Families might treat a neighbor with dinner or baked goods, donate to a charity, or share notes and cards with grandparents and teachers. When children see how they actively give appreciation, gratitude comes to life.

This November, let’s remember and instill into our families and children that the holiday season is the perfect time to embrace the aspects of the heart. Kindness, love, and gratitude are the best gifts we can give to ourselves and those around us. When we give thanks for our time together and the acts of love our families pour into their cooking, gift giving or time shared, our hearts expand and love grows.

Most of all, it is important to remind our children that they can feel grateful in any moment for anything, big or small and when we remember that, we can feel true peace