Gratitude For Christmas

Now that the Holiday Season is coming to a close, it is a good time to help our children remember the value of an "attitude of gratitude".  While a little over-indulgence can be good for everyone now and then, we can lose sight of just how fortunate we are when surrounded with all the glitter and abundance of Christmas.

An article from The Wall Street Journal last year reminds us that:

"The mere act of giving thanks has tangible benefits, research suggests. A 2008 study of 221 kids published in the Journal of School Psychology analyzed sixth- and seventh-graders assigned to list five things they were grateful for every day for two weeks. It found they had a better outlook on school and greater life satisfaction three weeks later, compared with kids assigned to list five hassles."

There are a number of ways that we can help "balance" the good fortune of this time of year with the more typical lives that we normally lead.

• Be A Good Example

If your "attitude of gratitude" is apparent in your everyday lives, you will be teaching by example and you can expect your children to see the world through your grateful eyes.  This will establish a solid foundation of gratitude for which to build on in the future.  Don't just tell your kids how grateful you are, let them witness your expressing that gratitude to other people.

• Say It Out Loud and Write It Down

To further cement your good example, have your children develop a daily routine of expression of gratitude.  A Gratitude Journal is an excellent tool and if writing is difficult, then have them tell you three things they are grateful for while you are having dinner or before bedtime.

• Be Grateful For The Challenges

While it is easy to remember to be grateful when things are good and the flow of abundance is great, a more important time to teach gratefulness is when times are tough.  Start with small things, like being grateful for rain because it feeds the plants and fills the pond, and work your way up to seeing how even the most distressing of situations can often have a positive outcome in the future.  Remember to look back and show your kids how things almost always work out for the best. 

Because we recognize the benefits of raising grateful kids it is important to remember that it all starts with a loving and nurturing connection with our caregivers.  When a baby is responded to with love and patience, the seeds of gratitude are then planted.  In nurturing that "seed" we will ensure that our children grow to be healthier and happier adults.

Please visit us at Grandrabbit's Toy Shoppe, to learn more about the benefits of toys and play, and how we are dedicated to helping our children grow and thrive.

Imagination Will Get You Everywhere

The next time your child approaches you wearing a crazy get-up and proclaiming themselves to be "Captain Of The Universe," take a moment to appreciate them and their creation.  By joining them in their pretend world, even for just a few moments, will give your child a confidence and self-esteem boost!  You will recognize this when your child "lights up," becoming more animated and expressive.  Their delight will be easy to recognize.  For the child, your participation gives them complete control of their world, when so often they feel like everyone else holds that power.

You can also encourage imaginative play by using toys that help your child create an alternate persona.  Toys like doctor kits, pretend kitchens with faux food, costumes or "stores" with pretend cash registers and money/credit cards.  Musical instruments are excellent for pretend play while also providing the child the benefit of making and manipulating sounds.

There are three very good reasons why an investment today in your child's imaginative play will bring a great return on that investment in the future.

• Development Of Language

One of the best things about pretending to be someone other than themselves is that it gives the child an opportunity to express that character verbally with words and language they wouldn't normally use.  This brings more sense to their world and understanding of how the adults relate to each other.

• Social Skills

Imaginative play with their peers offers the child an opportunity to "practice" how they relate to others.  Sharing is a natural behavior in this type of play and it gives us the opportunity to teach empathy skills and cooperation as well.

• Enhancing Imagination

Using your imagination is not only fun but it is also essential to a happy and fulfilling life.  If we did not have people with great imaginations, we would not build rocket ships to journey into space or make new scientific breakthroughs.  Imagination offers us the chance to build a better world.

  

So the next time your child runs past you with a shield made from a colander and a sword made from a stick, grab a sheet and tie it around your neck and join your child in vanquishing the dragons from the backyard.  Your child will benefit in many ways and you will probably experience an uptick in your own self-esteem as a bonus.

“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” 

― Albert Einstein

For toy ideas that will bring out the super hero in your child, visit our website or give one of our toy guides a call at 303-443-0780.