How to Teach Gratitude to Students: Ways to Encourage Gratitude in the Classroom

In this current fast and often hectic world, encouraging gratitude in the classroom is more important than ever. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can change the teaching and learning environment, it creates a positive and very much supportive atmosphere. As teachers or educators, we have the unique opportunity to embed the value of gratitude into our students’ hearts & minds. By involving gratitude into their daily lives, we can encourage students to recognize the goodness of gratitude in their lives and express appreciation for others. Promoting gratitude not only increases empathy and emotional intelligence but also pays to improved well-being and better mental health. Students with gratitude and empathy are more likely to develop a better growth mindset and foster stronger relationships with peers.

In this blog, I will explain some essential components of the gratitude and some 10 ways to encourage gratitude in the classroom

There are four important components of the gratitude experience, which was identified by psychologist Andrea Hussong along with her team: Notice, think, feel and do. Learners can remember these prompts to understand all the benefits of experiencing gratitude:

• Notice the things in your life that you can be grateful for.

• Think deeply about why you have been given this thing you value.

• Reflect on how you feel about the gift you have been given.

• What can you do to express appreciation?

The Top three prompts which are Notice, Think & Feel are to experience gratitude and the last prompt is a call to express gratitude.

So, keeping all the points in mind which was mentioned in above slideshow, let us delve deeper into each point to understand how to encourage gratitude in the classroom effectively:

1. Demonstrate Gratitude: As an educator/teacher, your every behaviour should serve as a powerful example for your students. Give appreciation for efforts and contribution in the class and express ample gratitude when they show kindness or may be empathy towards others in the classroom. By demonstrating such gratitude, you set the tone for a positive and thankful classroom environment.

2. Gratitude Journal: Provide notebooks to all students and ask them to write down all the things which they are thankful for. Encourage your students to showcase their positive experience, achievements and many more. Such exercises help them to focus on their positive aspects of lives and encourage a habit of gratitude.

3. Gratitude circle: Form a small circle, may be during the beginning or end of the day where all the students are able to share something they are very much grateful for. Such activity endorses a sense of community gathering and emotional empathy among students because they use to listen to each other's experiences.

4. Thank you Note: Ask your students to write thank you notes and express appreciation and gratitude to each other. These notes can be written for their classmates who might have helped them in projects, teachers who might have inspired them or other school/institute staff members who have made a positive impact on them. Writing or receiving Thank you notes can promote a culture of kindness, appreciation and gratitude.

5. Act of kindness: Organize group activities that can encourage students to showcase kindness for others. Whether it is for helping their classmates with their homework or projects, assisting teachers or doing something kind for their families. Such acts help students to recognize the true value of gratitude.

6. Gratitude art projects: Related to gratitude intercorporate art projects in their studies. Such art projects give a creative touch for students to express their emotions and develop gratitude.

7. Gratitude wall or board: Create a dedicated space in the classroom for a gratitude board or wall. In the space students can write or post notes of appreciation or maybe you can create a visual reminder of the positive atmosphere in the classroom.

8. Meditation: Introduce meditation or yoga that include elements of gratitude. During such practice sessions, students can focus on their feelings, acknowledge positive aspects of life and recognize such moments of gratitude.

9. Gratitude challenges: Create and give gratitude challenges to the class or individual. Like, you could challenge them to find something to be grateful for in a challenging situation or maybe ask them to express gratitude to a different person everyday. Such challenges encourage students to appreciate positive aspects of life.

10. Guest Speaker: Invite any guest as a speaker who can share their personal stories about gratitude and its impact on their life. Real life examples can inspire students, making the concept of gratitude more relatable.

By incorporating such ideas and strategies in your classroom routine, you can create an environment where gratitude is valued and students develop a deeper sense of appreciation.