Preschoolers and Gratitude

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Preschoolers can be pretty ungrateful.

It’sOK, they are supposed to be that way. Infants and toddlers are unableto realize that they are not the centers of the universe. Grasping aconcept that big is really too much for them. As they move into thepreschool age they begin to see that they are not really the end all ofeverything, but what to do with this new information can still be toomuch to process. As they mature gratitude for what they have, ratherthan expecting that what they want will be immediately given, blossoms.Still, if you are worried that your preschooler is becoming a “spoiltbrat’ or you just want to help them move through the transition hereare a few ideas to use.

One great thing to do is to create a daily habit of being grateful. Fora young preschooler this does not have to be much. Take a few momentseach day to share some of the things you are grateful for and encourageyour preschooler to share hers as well. You can also take a few momentsafter or before meals to say thanks for the food. These little thingscan show your preschooler what being thankful means.

Whenyour preschooler has a case of the “gimmies” it can be easy to getfrustrated. You may feel that they are being ungrateful about thethings they already have, and sometimes they do act that way.

One wayto combat this is to talk to your preschooler about what they alreadyhave verses what they want. Try not to make them feel guilty forwanting what ever it is that they want, and always validate that theirwant is very real. Help them see that while they may not have thelatest toy they see there are still many great things that they alreadyhave.

Of course the best way to teachgratitude to your preschooler is to show it yourself. Just like all ofthe other habits that they mimic from their parents, being thankful issomething they will pick up from you.

Talk about being grateful often,and tell your children that you are grateful for them. Do things toshow your gratitude for what you have in front of them and take thetime to explain why. Over time your preschooler will mature and beginto understand gratitude in their own way.

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