It is hard to practice gratitude when you have several things to do every day. Our busy lives leave us with no time to think about the things for which we are grateful. Studies[1] suggest that practicing gratitude brings peace of mind, and improves a person’s happiness and overall well-being. This means if we practice thankfulness, we will feel happier and more content in life.
But amidst the chaos, how do we develop the habit of consciously thinking about the things we are grateful for? Though there are many ways of practicing gratitude, the simplest of them all is keeping a gratitude journal. When started early in childhood, this habit leads to happy, resilient, and confident kids who later carry these positive attributes into adulthood.
Want your child to appreciate and be thankful for the big and little things in life? Read this post until the end to learn more about gratitude journals, their importance, and how to help kids start journaling. Also, find free gratitude journal printables so your kid can get started with gratitude journaling right away!
What is a gratitude journal?
As the name suggests, a gratitude journal is a journal that a person uses to jot down the things they are grateful for. Because it is easy to overlook the good in our lives, having a specific journal to practice gratitude helps you think along those lines and makes you aware of the positive things and people you are blessed with.
For kids, practicing gratitude may not involve something big. But the little things in their lives, for instance, spending time with parents, affection from a loved one, or an ice cream on a hot day, often have the biggest impact and are things they are genuinely grateful for. Writing them down in a journal helps kids develop the habit of being mindful from an early age and focus their attention on the things they have and not on the ones they don’t.
Why should kids keep a gratitude journal?
Writing a page or two every day in a gratitude journal can have a lasting impact on the mental and emotional well-being of children. Following are the reasons why you should encourage your child to practice gratitude with journaling:
1. Improved self-esteem:
Writing in a gratitude journal will help your child learn about the good things in life. This will bring a positive change in their mindset and improve their confidence and self-esteem.
2. Better relationships:
Being aware of the goodness in others will make your child appreciate the people in their life, which will translate into stronger and healthier relationships.
3. Improved resilience:
Grateful kids can handle setbacks and challenges more effectively than others. So, your child will likely focus on the positives and will know how to manage emotions during tough times. They will work with a growth mindset and prefer to problem-solve without being intimidated by a difficult situation.
4. Enhanced kindness and compassion:
Practicing gratitude will help your child turn into an empathetic and compassionate individual. Realizing their blessings will allow them to look beyond their lives and instill a sense of empathy for those who may not have the same things as they do.
5. Stronger mental health:
Practicing gratitude reduces anxiety and will help your kid build a positive outlook towards life. It will pave the way to happiness and optimism, which will improve the mental and emotional status of your child. You can also encourage your child to use journal prompts for mental health to further elevate their mental well-being.
Free gratitude journal for kids
At Number Dyslexia, we understand the importance of practicing gratitude. Therefore, our team has created two engaging gratitude journals for kids. Both journals are absolutely free for our readers. You just need to download the PDF file from the links shared below and print the pages for use.
For ease of selection, our gratitude journals have been segregated as Level 1 and Level 2 journals.
The level 1 journal is ideal for younger kids. It contains simple prompts to help kids learn about themselves, write about their day, and mention the things they are thankful for. They can also record their favorites, the names of their best friends, and special memories they would like to cherish forever.
The level 2 journal contains prompts that nudge kids to think in a particular direction and identify the things they are grateful for. It has daily, weekly, and monthly gratitude pages to keep a record of the good things that happened to them during a given time frame. Kids can write, draw, and scribble on the journal and document their thoughts and feelings without hesitation.
Here are the links to our gratitude journals:
Level 1 Gratitude journal:
Level 2 Gratitude journal:
How to help kids get started with gratitude journaling?
Gratitude journaling may be a new concept for your kid, and understanding it can be tricky. But worry not! Here are some tips to help your child get started:
1. Understanding gratitude
Before your child starts journaling, it is important they understand the meaning of gratitude. So, pick a few stories that focus on gratitude and kindness. Read them together and talk about them so your child gradually gets the idea of what it means to be grateful.
2. Choosing a journal
The second step involves selecting a gratitude journal. Your child can either use a store-bought one, make their own DIY handmade journal, or the easiest of them all—print out our free, downloadable, and affordable gratitude journal.
3. Establishing a routine
Consistency is crucial if you want your child to benefit from gratitude journaling. So, let your child pick a specific time of the day for journaling. It could be in the morning before school or at night before bed. No matter what time you decide, have your child stick to this routine to develop the habit of practicing gratitude.
4. Parental involvement
As kids tend to copy adults, it would help if you too practice gratitude in your everyday life. You could join your child daily to write in your respective gratitude journals and have a discussion. This would foster a strong emotional bond as you share your experiences and guidance with your child.
5. Making it fun
Gratitude journaling doesn’t have to be boring. Encourage your child to be as creative as possible when filling their journal. They could write their thoughts, draw doodles, make collages, or use stickers to decorate and personalize their journal.
6. Don’t make it a compulsion
There may be days when your child doesn’t want to write in their journal, and that’s okay! Let them take a break and get back to the routine in a day or two. Kids are more likely to avoid activities if they are forced to do them. So, make gratitude journaling a compulsion-free activity and see your child coming back to it for more.
Concluding thoughts
Gratitude journaling is an effective self-care technique for all, including children. Writing regularly in a gratitude journal can improve a child’s self-esteem, relationships, and social skills. It can turn them into optimistic individuals who live a happy and healthy life now and in the future.
So, what are you waiting for? Download our free printable gratitude journal for kids today! It is just what you need to kick-start your child’s gratefulness journey. The gratitude journal will not only help your child count their blessings but will eventually become a precious keepsake they will cherish forever.
References
- Bono, Giacomo & Emmons, Robert & Mccullough, Michael. (2012). Gratitude in Practice and the Practice of Gratitude. 10.1002/9780470939338.ch29.
I am Priyanka Sonkushre, a writer and blogger. I am the person behind “One Loving Mama,” a mom blog. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree along with an MBA, my healthcare background helps me deeply understand learning difficulties. I know how challenging it can be for parents to find the right resources to help their children excel in life. So, here I am to blend my healthcare expertise with my parenting experience to create valuable and helpful resources for parents and teachers supporting children with learning differences. If you wish, you can follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.