Its
Thanksgiving yet again and the world is buzzing about it.
Here is a
guide to having a grateful child.
Along with friends
and family, be thankful for everything from best friends to popcorn to wishes.
Guide your child through our A to Z list and find other ordinary and
extraordinary things to give thanks for this year!
A Is for
Animals
We human beings inhabit this planet in the company of some pretty
amazing creatures, from the fuzzy to the slimy to the towering to the teensy-beastly. You might be most grateful for the companionship of a beloved
furry, scaly, or feathered family pet and the spectacular creatures that live only in your imagination.
Talk About
It: What is your favorite animal???
B Is for
Best Friends
Some
friendships have that special "forever" vibe about them. You know how
to count on each other through thick and thin, from the playground to the
backyard, which is a rare quality and wonderful gift. It's a beautiful thing to
call a bud "best friend" and know that you're a "best friend,"
too. Take this opportunity Talk About It: What do
you love about your best friends? opportunity to say "thank you" for
the magical bond you share!
C Is for Cars
Sure, there are some pretty cool toy cars out there that make for
quality playtime, but take a moment to say "thank you" for real cars
-- the ones that take you to friends' houses for fun playmates, to soccer
practice, to music lessons, to cup cake parties, and sometimes to exciting places
for vacations and new adventures. Don't forget to aim a little gratitude toward
the drivers (Mom and Dad) of those cars!
Talk About
It: What is your favorite place to drive in a car?
D Is for
Dinnertime
Thanksgiving
might be the ultimate meal of the year, but dinner is something you have every
night. Think back on some recent dinners and share what made them stand out.
Was it a delicious meal that featured all your favorite foods? A huge family
laughs fest when you shared a funny story at the table? A surprise visit from a
close friend or family member? Remember with gratitude that there's always food
on the table -- and that great memories are served a la caret.
Talk About
It: Share a recent dinnertime memory.
E Is for
Excellence
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Oh, the
pleasures of a job well done. Did you recently spend extra time on a school
assignment and earn a top grade? Or did you finish a chore at home with extra
care, which earned you high praise from Mom and Dad? Or was your music teacher
amazed at how much your piano lessons improved (turns out those hours of
practice were a good idea!)? Be grateful for the excellence you have achieved
and for those who have recognized excellence in you.
Talk About
It: What have you
achieved recently?
F Is for Family
 Lots of things change in life, but family is forever.
Be thankful for the family members who have leading roles in the story of your
life, from your parents and siblings to aunts, uncles, and cousins to
Godparents to lifelong family friends who love you unconditionally and would do
anything for you. Tell these special people you're grateful for a time they
gave you advice, taught you a family secret, or just spent a great day
together, laughing and relaxing as a family.
Talk About It: What makes your family special?
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An old saying goes, "You can't know where you're going until
you know where you've been." Your grandparents are a big part of your
family's history, so take this chance to be thankful they raised your parents,
set family goals and standards, and ensured that family wisdom survived within
each generation. Even if your grandparents can't be with you at Thanksgiving,
the holiday table is still a great place to hear stories about the times and
places where they came from.
Talk about It: What have you learned from your grandparents?
H Is for
Happy Birthdays
What fun it
is to have a birthday! For one whole day, everyone piles good wishes (and gifts
and cake!) on you, and you feel like the most special person in the world. How
do you respond when someone wishes you a happy birthday or gives you a present
or a card? You say "thank you," of course! Think back on your most
recent birthday and appreciate those who took the time to share the
celebrations. Also, remember gratefully all the fun you had celebrating other
friends' and family members' birthdays.
Talk about
It: What was the best part of your last birthday?
I Is for
Ice Cream
On a hot
day, we all scream for cool and creamy ice cream whether it's chocolate,
vanilla, or bubblegum flavor. On a cone, covered in yummy hot fudge in a
sundae, or sandwiched between delicious cookies, ice cream is an unforgettable
treat and for this it deserves heartfelt thanks.
Talk About
It: What is your favorite way to eat ice cream?
J Is for Jokes
Why did the chicken cross the road? It doesn't really
matter, as long as the punch line made you or someone else laugh. From
knock-knock jokes to tongue twisters to rollicking riddles, anything that
induces giggles snickers, and a laugh-out-loud "Ha-ha!" deserves your
gratitude. After all, how boring would life be without laughter?
Talk About It: What made you laugh today?
K Is for
Kites
The
inspirational author Dan Zadra wrote, "I made you a kite so you would have
to look up." It's true that kites invite imaginations to soar. When there's
a colorful kite whipping and diving against a clear, breezy sky, we can't help
but be amazed by -- and grateful for -- things we can let fly into the wind, as
well as all the things that keep our feet firmly rooted to the ground.
Talk About
It: If you were to make a kite, what would it look like?
L Is for
Learning
Not all
learning happens in school, although your homework load might suggest
otherwise. The ability to acquire new skills, from knitting to magic tricks to
scoring a goal to memorizing spelling words, means a great big "thank
you" for your teachers, tutors, and coaches. Even more gratifying? When
you finally "get" something you never thought you could learn -- such
as long division!
M Is for
Making Things
A cozy sofa
cushion fort. A beaded necklace. A colorful collage. A pan of fudgy brownies.
These are only some of the things you might have made recently with your own
two hands. Didn't it feel good to start and finish something that interested
you, something that you imagined, and then turned into reality? Give thanks for
your creative and artistic spirit and for all it has inspired you to make.
Talk about
It: What have you made recently?
N Is for
Nature
"Look
deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better," said scientist
Albert Einstein. Think about all the natural beauty you got to see this year a tall and majestic mountain, a beach full of seashells, a strong and silent
forest, a unique tree you pass on your way to school, or a garden your family
cultivated to bring more nature to your backyard. How lucky are you to live in
such a beautiful world?
Talk about
It: What is your favorite natural space?
O Is for
Opportunities
Sometimes,
opportunities can disappear as fast as they come. So be thankful for those moments
when you seized the chance to do something exciting, new, and fun -- such as
the time you overcame your fear of heights by riding the big roller coaster.
How about your decision to sign up for the spelling bee? Or the moment you
introduced yourself to someone who became a best friend? These are all smart
opportunities that you recognized!
Talk About
It: What opportunities have you grabbed lately?
P Is for
Popcorn
What do you
think of when you get a whiff of fresh popcorn? Fun outings to the movie theater
or cozy evenings with the family in front of a great show or movie? Say
"thank you" to popcorn for having the power to make you feel
instantly happy and relaxed -- not to mention less hungry. Plus, popcorn is a
low-calorie, high-fiber, whole grain snack -- which means it keeps you healthy,
for which your parents can be thankful, too!
Talk About
It: What other healthy foods make you feel good?
Q Is for
Questions
"Why"
might be the most productive word in the English language. Why? Because
questions open doors to knowledge, new perspectives, and deeper thoughts --
even if you don't get any immediate answers. Asking questions shows that you
are a good and curious observer of the world around you. So keep on asking why
the sky is blue, why spiders have eight legs, or why your sister chose to play
the clarinet, and be grateful for your inquisitive instinct.
Talk About
It: What questions have you asked lately?
R Is for
Reading
What
activity can take you back in time, out into space, off to magical lands, and
away on fantastical adventures? Reading, of course! Give thanks for your
favorite books and stories, the ones that draw you in again and again and
again. Think happily about how libraries and bookstores are brimming with books
for you to keep discovering. Which of them are destined to become your lifelong
favorites? Go find out!
Talk About
It: What is your all-time favorite book?
S Is for
Songs
Every song
carries its own special feeling, from the pride of "The Star Spangled
Banner" to the winter fun of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
When we sing, alone or in a group, we let our voices get loud and loose, and we
express ourselves freely and boldly in a whole new way. Say (or sing!)
"thank you" for the songs that make you turn up the radio, lull you
into a gentle, peaceful night's sleep, and allow you to laugh with friends or
family around the fireplace or campfire.
T Is for
Treats
Treats come
in many forms, from an after-dinner piece of cake to the goodies you collect on
Halloween. But treats aren't always sugary desserts to chew on -- treats can
also be a stop at the playground on the way home from school, a movie with your
parents on a school night, or discovering that a fantastic surprise has arrived
in the mail. Be grateful for how treats have sweetened your life in more ways
than one!
U Is for
Umbrellas
An umbrella is
one of those everyday items you forget about if you don't remember how much it
helps you. On stormy and wet days, your umbrella is a cozy rain repellant and
personal protector. If you have a colorful or patterned one, your umbrella
might also be a cheerful way to brighten up a gray and gloomy day. So next time
you take a walk in the rain, be grateful for your very own storm shield!
Talk About
It: What would your perfect umbrella look like?
V Is for
Vacation
What a happy
word "vacation" is it conjures up feelings of freedom from school
and regular routines. Whether your vacations were in far-off, exotic
destinations or right in your hometown this year, think thankfully on the
chances you have to take a break and step away from the everyday. Vacation time
is family time, so you probably created great family memories to keep alongside
the terrific souvenirs you collected. Remember, sometimes the best part about a
vacation is being excited to return home refreshed and to tackle the ordinary
routines you wanted to escape.
W Is for
Wishes
Have you
ever wished upon a star, made a wish over flickering birthday candles, or
tossed a penny into a fountain? You've probably had a quiet moment this year to
think about something special you would like to add to your life. Wishes have a
magical quality -- they lead to dreams and dreams lead to actions that make
dreams come true. As you say "thank you" for all the wishes you made
this year, think about what your heart really wants today, and don't hesitate
to wish for it.
X Is for
Xylophone
Just as
"X" is a unique, seldom-used letter, the xylophone is a special,
different kind of musical instrument (not to mention a darn fun word to say out
loud!). The xylophone is probably the first musical instrument (other than a
wooden spoon banging against a pot or pan) that you learned to play. With its
colorful bars and soft, round mallets, the happy music that children of any age
can make is definitely worthy of your gratitude.
Talk About
It: Have you ever played a xylophone?
Y Is for
Your Special Place
Everyone
needs a private place to relax and reflect without the distractions of ringing
phones, chattering sisters or brothers, or parents carrying chore lists. Where
is that place for you? Give thanks for your bedroom where your own clothes,
toys, books, and cozy bed await. Or be grateful for a tree house, a secret
corner of your playroom, or a favorite chair that is always around when you
need quiet time in your very own space.
Talk About
It: What is your special place?
Z Is for
Zoo
Be honest would you have ever had the chance to get close to an elephant without zoos?
Your local zoo, in addition to being a living classroom where you can learn
about animals (remember, A is for animals!) you never heard of, is a passport
to parts of the world where these incredible creatures dwell. So zoos deserve
our thanks, both for what they can teach us and for the ways they preserve and protect
the animals who live safely in their care.
Talk About
It: What is your favorite thing to see at the zoo?
Inspire
your kids to be creative when sharing what they're grateful for this
Thanksgiving. From the everyday to the extraordinary, our A-to-Z list of 26
gratitude-worthy things will make your kids realize how full and fun their
lives truly are. Sit down with your kids to explore our list, then build on it
by creating your own ABC's of Gratitude. Share it with teachers at your kids'
school so they can create a Thanksgiving lesson plan. Better yet, go around the
Thanksgiving table and take turns contributing a word for each letter until
everyone is fully grateful, from A to Z.
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