Family Adventure

GOAL:  Teach children to express appreciation to those who help them!

The ADVENTURE:  Complete the 3-step mission below to help your family members develop a habit of saying thanks to others!

TIPS:

Be specific! We want kids to learn to be specific in their communications of gratitude and positive feedback. The best way to do that is to model it for them. When saying "thank you" to your children or others tell the person exactly what you're thanking them for. This way your kids will see how it's done and develop a habit of doing the same. This is especially great when expressing thanks within the home. ("Thank you for putting your sister's shoes away for her." "Thank you for remembering to include napkins when you set the table.")

Help kids recognize the feeling of satisfaction they get when they express appreciation. Identify with them the difference in how they feel when they are focusing on gratitude versus when they aren't.

Lead by example. Let your kids see you thanking your spouse and them for the things they do! Let your kids see you thanking others, such as the crossing guard or the store clerk.

This is a 3-step mission. Complete all 3 parts as a family to help remind your children to be grateful to others each day.

Step 1:  It's nice to feel appreciated! As a family, take turns thinking of a time you helped someone who did NOT acknowledge it. Now think of a time when someone DID acknowledge you. While it's important to be kind & helpful regardless of whether our actions are acknowledged, we all know that it IS nice to have people express gratitude! Let's teach our children to be the type of people who thank those around them CONSISTENTLY.

Step 2:  Have each family member make a list of 5 people who have helped them to accomplish their goals/improve themselves this year (teachers, friends, a co-worker, parents, the librarian at school, babysitter, etc.) As a family brainstorm ways to EXPRESS APPRECIATION to at least one of the names on each family member's list. (Ideas: mail a card, decorate a teacher's door for teacher appreciation week, send a small gift, send an email/text, compliment that person, plan a special lunch/dinner date, deliver cookies, thank them in person, leave a treat for the mailman, etc.)

BONUS: Can you express appreciation to EVERYONE on your list? Even a simple text or quick "thank you" can make a BIG difference! It's nice to feel appreciated, regardless of how big or small it is!

Step 3: There are countless people in our lives we can express appreciation for with a simple "thank you"! Who can you verbally thank as you go about each day? Make a list as a family & then have a competition to see who can say "thank you" to the most people this week. (Ideas: crossing guard, waitress, grocery delivery girl, mail man, computer teacher at school, family members, friends)

Pre-K Adventure

This challenge is great for young kids! They can help in every way. Coloring a picture, saying "thanks", even just smiling at someone who helps them. Acknowledge your child when he/she thanks someone else ("That was nice of you!") and express gratitude when your child thanks YOU!

Community Engagement Adventure

Everything about this challenge betters our communities! Wouldn't it be great if everyone participated? Share this challenge with a friend or neighbor.

Teen Adventure

It might feel "weird" to start saying thank you to the crossing guard, a teacher, or friends if this isn't a habit your child already has. That's okay! Remind your teen how nice it feels to be acknowledged and encourage them to help other people feel this way!  Remember, lead by example.