There’s no denying that children take things for granted. From a young age, they are given everything they could possibly want, and by the time they are teenagers they carry around smartphones worth hundreds of pounds. With that said, it can be difficult to teach kids gratitude. I have teamed up with an independent school in London to share some advice on how to explore gratitude with your child.

Remind Your Child to Say “Thank You”

You probably already tell your child to say thank you when someone gives them something, but there are so many other opportunities to offer appreciation that often go unnoticed. You might feel like forcing your child to say thanks is unauthentic, but it’s actually one of the first steps in promoting gratitude. So, next time someone scoots over on the sofa to make room for your child or allows them to go first when playing a board game, remind them to say thank you. You could even encourage them to write thank you letters to their friends for coming to their birthday party. Focus on the little things people do for them, not just the tangible gifts they receive.

Encourage a Gratitude Diary

Give your child a pen and a notepad and encourage them to spend a few minutes each evening writing down what they are grateful for that day. To inspire them, you could share some of your own examples, like your colleague making you a coffee that morning, or your friend buying your lunch. Practising gratitude in this way each day will eventually make it seem more natural to your child, and they will start to appreciate even the smallest of gestures.

Look for the Silver Lining

There will be times when your child feels sad or can’t find anything to be grateful for. It’s only natural and we all go through hardships, but it might help if you try and help your child look for the silver lining when times are tough. Put things into perspective to remind them of how fortunate they are.