SEL in Action at Home
November 2021 - Attitude of Gratitude
Did you know that gratitude leads to improved psychological well-being and better physical health? Grateful people even tend to sleep better and live longer! Spending just a few minutes a day to practice gratitude with our families can positively impact how we address stressful situations life unexpectedly throws our way.
According to Raising Grateful Children Project at UNC-Chapel Hill, 85% of parents said they prompted their kids to say "thank you," while only 39% encouraged children to show gratitude in a way that went beyond good manners.
In children, studies have shown:
- Gratitude can be linked to happiness in children as young as 5.
- Gratitude positively impacts tweens (11-13), reporting more satisfaction with their schools, families, communities, friends, and themselves.
- Grateful teens (14 -19) are less envious, depressed, and materialistic than their less grateful counterparts.
Author and professor Randy Pausch said, "Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other." In this month's edition, learn about the Science of Gratitude, try some simple gratitude ideas with your child, and explore NOTICE-THINK-FEEL-DO gratitude questions to help your family foster an attitude of gratitude this season.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING QUICK LINKS
G is for GRATITUDE
PK - 5th Grade: Hello Gratitude
6th - 8th Grade: Gratitude = Generosity
When children lend a hand, especially while using their strengths, they feel more connected to those they’re helping, which helps them to develop and nurture friendships and social relationships. Visit Common Sense Media's Sites That Help Kids Do Good with your child to create your own "Do Good Family Plan".
9th - 12th Grade: Gratitude Journal
Raising Grateful Children Project , UNC-Chapel Hill
How can you help your family foster a more profound sense of gratitude? According to the Raising Grateful Children project at UNC-Chapel Hill, gratitude has four parts:
- What we NOTICE in our lives for which we can be grateful
- How we THINK about why we have been given those things
- How we FEEL about the things we have been given
- What we DO to express appreciation in turn
Here are some examples of NOTICE-THINK-FEEL-DO questions parents may ask children about their gratitude experiences. (GGIA)
CONVERSATION STARTERS
ADDITIONAL FAMILY RESOURCES
New Ways November - Calendar
Family Lunch & Learn - November 10th
Mindful Mondays start December 6th!
PARENT/FAMILY SEL SPOTLIGHT
Visit our Website!
Dallas ISD - SEL Department
Email: selfamilies@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/selfamilies
Location: 9400 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-794-3612
Twitter: @DallasISDSEL