Gratitude and Kindness
What is the “big idea” for this lesson?
Noticing and naming what we are grateful for helps us focus on the positive.
Sharing our gratitude with others is an act of kindness that helps both you and the other person feel good!
Reflection questions:
What is one benefit of having an attitude of gratitude?
What are you grateful for?
What is a kind thought or message you would like to send to someone you care about?
Sharing Gratitude and Kindness
This activity invites you to try different ways of practicing gratitude and expressing that gratitude to others. When we think about what we are grateful (thankful) for, our brains become better able to notice the good things around us and within us. This means that by practicing gratitude, we can rewire our brains to focus on our character strengths, to notice our feelings, to choose healthy coping skills, and to connect with friends and family. There’s no one right way to practice gratitude! No matter how you do it, noticing and naming what you’re thankful for is a lifelong resilience skill.
Materials:
Paper and pens, markers, or colored pencils
Chalk
Directions:
Start a Gratitude Journal: Write 3 things every day you are grateful (thankful) for. Can you also name a bonus thing you are grateful for about yourself? This is a great self-compassion exercise.
Optional: Collage or draw a cover for your journal.2. Share your kind thoughts and gratitude with others by writing, drawing, or sending a message.
Write a compliment or thank-you note for someone in your home. Share your note with them.
Write or draw something you’re thankful for and share it with a friend on a phone call, video message, or text. Ask them to share what they’re thankful for, too.
Draw a picture of something that makes you feel happy. Put your picture facing out of a window, so anyone outside can see it. Or if you can, go outside and draw with chalk. Your happy messages and colorful pictures will make others happy, too.
Sharing Gratitude and Kindness Ingredients
