Studies have shown that being grateful has many benefits for children. It has been linked to greater happiness, optimism and satisfaction with school, friends and oneself. Being grateful in life also leads to better health, sleep and emotional wellness. People are able to navigate negative emotions and stress better and ultimately have a greater sense of self-worth.

Far beyond simply saying ‘thank you,’ being grateful involves acknowledging the goodness in our lives and recognizing how that goodness came to us, according to Robert Emmons, a leading expert on gratitude. Most importantly, it is something that can be practiced so we can go beyond feeling occasionally grateful to becoming a more grateful person.

Make a gratitude tree

Here’s how you can help your children develop this important trait.

Encourage saying ‘thank you’ and praise your children when they do so without prompting.

This is a great foundation for gratitude because it helps children recognize the support they receive from others. Children can draw pictures or write notes to family or friends when they receive gifts, help or special experiences. And when you see them thanking people on their own (without a reminder), be sure to praise them to reinforce the behavior.

Help children explore why they are grateful.

Researchers from UNC have identified 4 components of gratitude that most parents don’t take full advantage of:

• “Notice what you have in your life or has come into your life, no matter how small
• Think about why you have received this gift, who played a role in making it possible and why they did so.
• Feel the positive emotions that come with receiving from others and connecting them to the real gift — the kindness, generosity or love that someone else has shown you.
• Then do something to express your appreciation.”

Asking questions in these areas will expand how your children experience gratitude.

Model gratitude.

Children will take their cues from you. Saying thank you to other people in front of them and sharing the things in life you are grateful for, even on the hard days, will make your children more likely to display higher levels of gratitude as they grow up.

Point out the simple joys in life. 

We are often grateful for the big things, but can forget how every day experiences add to our lives. Talk about the little things you and your children enjoy most, such as playing outside on a sunny day, laughing with friends, reading a book together, etc.

Create a daily gratitude practice. 

Make it a habit to share something you’re grateful for each day. You can do this at dinner or bedtime. Encourage children to think about their own days and what they are thankful for.

Create a visual reminder. 

You can create a gratitude jar where everyone can write down things they are grateful for and add them to the jar. Put the jar in a central place (like the kitchen) with slips of paper next to it. Periodically, you can read the notes together to reflect on the positive experiences. Or you can get crafty and make a gratitude tree, which can serve as a great decoration for the holidays. Grab some sticks and twigs, arrange in a vase and cut out leaf shapes from colorful paper. On each leaf, have family members write something they are thankful for and tie them on to the twigs.

These strategies can help instill a genuine sense of gratitude in children, which will enhance their lives and relationships.