• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lasso The Moon
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Travel
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Travel
×

Home » Blog » Family Life By Season » Autumn

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal

Published: Nov 1, 2012 · Modified: Dec 4, 2019 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

10.8K shares

Easy ideas and useful ways to help you get started on a kids' gratitude journal. A perfect activity for Thanksgiving or any time of the year! Thank you to Growing Book by Book for today's inspiration. 

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal *Love this Thanksgiving activity for kids. Great list of book suggestions too!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. This helps us keep our content and tutorials free for you! We really appreciate your support.

Over 12 years ago, I began intentionally naming what I was grateful for in my life. On my birthday in 2000, I began a gratitude journal.

Each day I set out to list at least five things I was grateful for in my life .

Now that I have two young sons, I want to encourage this habit. I feel that when we are grateful for what we have in our lives, we draw positive energy toward us. As children mature, they can draw pictures of things they are grateful for and then will eventually do their own writing. My hope is that my sons will continue this practice as they grow older.

5  SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOUR CHILD START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

So, are you ready to begin the journey of keeping a gratitude journal with kids?

1 | Select a beautiful well made journal.

Bookstores, museum shops, Etsy and art supply stores usually have great selections. You can also utilize a composition notebook and have your child decorate the cover with stickers.

2 | Get yourself a feel good writing utensil.

I like to use a metallic gel pen. A fun fancy pen helps to generate interest in the project especially for reluctant writers.

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal *Love this post and these Thanksgiving book recommendations. Gel pens are a great way to get kids writing!

3 | Read a story about being thankful with your child.

I like to use Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes to introduce the topic. The simple text names different things that the children are thankful during the fall season. Beautiful illustrations by Doris Barrette enhance the text.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 100+ Fall & Thanksgiving Books Recommended by Moms

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal *Love this post and these Thanksgiving book recommendations

4 | Start out small.

Have a conversation with your child about things they are thankful for in their lives. Here are a few prompts to help you get started.

I'm grateful for...
Thank you for...
I appreciate...

Kids might only be able to name one or two things to start with and they might be very materialistic. That's ok! The more they practice, the deeper their thought process will develop.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10 Gratitude Drawing Prompts for Kids

gratitude-project-for-kids-1

5 | Schedule a set time to practice giving thanks each day.

I like to do it right before bed. I know others who carry on a discussion at the dinner table. Find a time that works best for your family. When your child is having an "off" day, encourage them to reread some of the entries in their journal. What a quick pick me up!

I hope you are inspired to start gratitude journals with your children. Happy journaling!

divider

jodie-gratitude-activityMeet Jodie

Jodie Rodriguez is a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist and administrator with over 17 years of experience. She currently stays at home with her two young sons. Her newest adventure is the creation of the Growing Book by Book blog dedicated to helping caregivers nurture young readers.

Find Jodie Online:  Blog | Facebook | Pinterest

divider

Pin it:

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal *Love this Thanksgiving activity for kids. Great list of book suggestions too!

5 Simple Steps to Help Your Child Start a Gratitude Journal #Thanksgiving *Love this post

divider

We are proud to be a part of the 21 Days of Gratitude project.
Stop by Inspired by Family Magazine's for additional inspiring posts!

21-days-of-gratitude

divider

Photo Credits: Thank you to Amy Giziensk for sharing her DIY Notepad photos under creative commons.

divider

More

  • Capture This Moment :: Autumn Handprint Tree
10.8K shares

Primary Sidebar

Portrait of Zina

Hi, I'm Zina! You know you’re in the right spot if — You believe in game nights. You believe in PJ movie parties. You believe in breakfast for dinner. And most importantly, you believe happiness is family.

Let me show you around →

Popular

  • 7 Astoundingly Helpful Tips for Moving With Cats into a New Home
  • 5 Brutally Honest Things Every Woman Turning 40 Should Know
  • The Best Way To Pack a Suitcase: How to Travel With a Family + a Single Suitcase
  • How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School
  • Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Marinade — THE BEST Chicken Recipe With Only 4-Ingredients!
  • Chicken Biscuit Casserole

Footer

↑ back to top

Lasso The Moon

  • About This Site
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Slow Down In Life

  • Overwhelm and busy get in the way of finding time for what really matters in life. Ready to reset? Join me at Becoming UnBusy too!

Slow Living Movement

  • "She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane, and proceeded to win."
    — Pam Lambert

Copyright © 2020 Lasso The Moon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

10.8K shares