My daughter was about 4 years old, and that November day I asked her what she was thankful for. I was prepared for some toy, the TV, or something like that. I was hoping for her to say a person, love in the world, the roof that Mom and Dad provided over her head. I wanted her to understand the concept of being grateful for all the things you have you your life. You know, at 4 years old. I can dream right? But, I had an answer for her toy, TV, etc. answer. I was ready! Her answer; the toilet! That day she was thankful for the toilet! She was completely serious. Ummmm…what do I say to that? I guess she was understanding the concept? She was truly thankful for EVERYTHING in her life. So, I did what any modern Mother does, praised her and wrote about it all over Facebook.
Every November, in some form or another, my kids and I go through a lesson on being thankful. After all, that is the concept of Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims thanking the Native Americans for helping them make in the tough new world. I also think it is a great lesson to go through before all the “I want, I want, and give me, give me, give me” happens at Christmas. It is also a great reminder for me. We as adults can get caught up in all the craziness going on around us, that this helps me to slow down every day for a few minutes and reflect about what I am thankful for that day. What are some ways that we have accomplished this lesson in my household and what will we be doing this year?
Hand Turkey – Have your child trace their hand on a piece of paper. Decorate the hand to look like a turkey. The thumb becomes the turkey face and the rest of the fingers the feathers. They can color as they want. Once colored, write on each finger one thing they are thankful for this year. Cut it out and hang it up to remind yourself all month.
Thankful Turkey Box – Take an empty tissue box and decorate the outside like a turkey. The turkey body in front and the feathers in back. Then every day write down what you are thankful for and drop them in the box. Read them at Thanksgiving or at the end of the month.
Hang it up – Just get a large piece of cardboard or poster board and hang it up somewhere in a central location. Everyday write down what you are thankful for. Everyone can read it while hanging out around the house.
Thankful Tree – This is what we are doing this year! Draw a bare tree on a piece of poster board or cardboard and hang up. Each day everyone fills out a leaf with what they are thankful for and hangs it on the tree. I have included a print out of thankful leaves for you to use if you would like to try this at your home!
Just Talk – You don’t have to get crafty, or even write it down every day, just have a simple conversation! Every day at dinner, at breakfast, in the car on the way to activities, just ask everyone what they are thankful for that day. I am amazed sometimes how one little conversation can lead to a much larger conversation. And, they actually learn something from this conversation which is even better!
Five different ways to spend the month of November talking and learning about being thankful. From simple to more complicated, there is an option to fit each family’s needs. I wish your family a very fulfilling November!
