Gratitude in the Classroom

Here are the basics of a gratitude lesson for any age. Feel free to expand and innovate!

- Explore the concept of gratitude.

• -Differentiate genuine gratitude, which is spontaneous and heartfelt, from contrived gratitude, which is often forced onto children by adults as part of the socialization process (“Say ‘Thank you.'”)

• -Do a brainstorm of the things for which students genuinely feel grateful.

• -Have them notice how they feel, after just talking about gratitude.

• -Explain a bit about our minds’ ability to learn internal skills as well as external skills. Gratitude is an internal skill.

• -Guide the students through the three basic steps of gratitude practice:
  1. Begin with some mindfulness of breathing.
  2. Think of something for which you’re grateful. Make it specific and picture it in your mind.
  3. Enjoy any feelings of warmth, delight, happiness, or ease that come.
  … Repeat!

You can end by discussing how they felt while practicing, and when they might find this exercise helpful as a way of lifting their spirits or renewing their energy.

Resource : Mindful Schools