Building a Thankful Mindset in Preschoolers

Why Gratitude Matters for Young Children

Gratitude is about recognizing the good in our lives, feeling appreciation, and connecting emotionally with ourselves and others. For toddlers and preschoolers, learning gratitude builds emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience. It supports mental health, fosters connection, and boosts self-esteem.

At PlayMotion Kids, we bring a gratitude practice into every class through movement, mindfulness, and routines. Now, we’re sharing how you—parents and caregivers—can create that same magic at home.

The Early Years: A Critical Time to Teach Gratitude

Between ages 2 and 5, children's brains are rapidly developing. They begin forming lasting habits and learning emotional skills by observing adults, experiencing routines, and expressing themselves in new ways.

Though young kids may not fully grasp abstract concepts like gratitude right away, they can feel it, especially when we make it part of everyday life.

By introducing gratitude practices during this stage, you help your child lay the foundation for a lifelong mindset of appreciation and positivity.

Gratitude at Home: Inspired by Our PlayMotion Kids Classes

Here are 4 powerful, yet simple, ways you can practice gratitude at home, each one drawn directly from the rituals we practice in class at PlayMotion Kids.

1. Gratitude Through Movement and Body Awareness

What We Do in Class: After our yoga or fitness sessions, we invite children to place their hands on their hearts, feel their breath, and say a simple phrase, “Thank you body, breath, and mind.” It grounds them in the present and allows them to show appreciation for what their bodies can do.

Try This at Home:After a walk or playtime, pause and place your hands on your hearts together. Ask:

• “Can you feel your heart beating?”

• “How does your breath feel?”

• “What’s something your body did today that made you happy?”

  
  

Encourage your child to say thank you to their body. When kids connect gratitude to their physical sensations, it becomes something they feel, not just something they say.

2. Build a Gratitude Ritual

What We Do in Class: By practicing the same phrase every class, we are creating a routine. This ritual helps children recognize and name what they’re grateful for, and the repetition makes it stick.

Try This at Home:Create a short gratitude ritual around bedtime, mealtime, or after play. For example:

• Place hands on hearts and say, “Thank you for today.”

• Light a candle at dinner and go around the table sharing one thing each person is thankful for.

• Use a consistent phrase like, “I’m grateful for my day, my play, and my family.”

  
  

Consistency builds comfort and meaning. Over time, your child may begin repeating the gratitude ritual on their own, just like they do in class.

3. Encourage Gratitude Through Sharing

What We Do in Class: We end class with a sharing circle, where each child gets to say one thing they are thankful for. It could be their snack, their grandma, or playing outside.

Try This at Home: Make gratitude sharing a part of your family rhythm:

• Ask your child, “What made you feel happy today?”

• During car rides or bath time, invite them to name something or someone they feel thankful for.

• Model your own sharing: “I’m thankful for the sunshine today” or “I loved watching you play.”

  
  

Even toddlers can learn to reflect with prompts like:

• “What made your heart feel happy?”

• “Who helped you today?”

  
  

This not only reinforces gratitude but deepens the connection.

4. Integrate Gratitude into Everyday Life

Gratitude isn’t just a moment It’s a mindset. Embed thankfulness into daily life by noticing the little things and naming them.

• Model gratitude aloud: “I’m so thankful for this comfy blanket!”

• Celebrate kindness: “That was so kind of you to help your friend. I’m grateful for your big heart.”

• Create a gratitude jar: Drop in notes or drawings of what made each of you smile that day.

• Use books or stories about gratitude to spark conversation (we’re happy to recommend a few!).

When you live gratitude, your child sees it in action and begins to mirror it naturally.

How to Keep Gratitude Practices Real and Genuine

It’s tempting to make gratitude into a lesson, but kids learn best through experience, not lectures. Here are tips to keep it meaningful:

• Don’t force it. If your child doesn’t want to participate, keep modelling and gently reintroduce it later.

• Keep it age-appropriate. Toddlers may not grasp deep concepts but can understand “happy,” “helpful,” or “kind.”

• Let it be playful. Use movement, songs, or drawing to explore feelings of thanks.

• Connect it to real moments. “I noticed you shared your toy with your sister. That was kind. I’m thankful for your sharing heart.”

The goal is not perfection, it's just the connection.

Small Steps Toward a Thankful Mindset

Gratitude helps children notice the good, feel connected, and grow emotionally strong. At PlayMotion Kids, we’ve seen firsthand how tiny habits, like placing hands on hearts or sharing a thankful moment, can grow into a lasting mindset.

By bringing these practices into your home, these tools help kids to navigate life with appreciation.

Try one practice today. Gratitude starts small, but grows with love.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: My toddler doesn’t talk much yet. Can they still practice gratitude?Absolutely. Use gestures, facial expressions, or simple phrases like “thank you, body” while placing your hand on their heart. Modeling is powerful!

Q: How often should we do these gratitude practices? Daily is ideal, but consistency matters more than frequency. Even a few times a week makes a big difference.

Q: What if my child doesn’t feel grateful, should I still prompt them?Yes, but gently. Offer space to share and model your own feelings. Avoid pressure. Gratitude grows with time.

Q: Can gratitude help with tantrums or emotional outbursts?While not a fix, gratitude practices can increase emotional regulation over time by helping kids tune into their feelings and shift focus.

Q: What are some books or tools to teach gratitude to kids?Some great titles include “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora, “Gratitude is My Superpower” by Alicia Ortego, and “The Thankful Book” by Todd Parr.