At ABC Ault Child Development Center, we know that education goes far beyond ABCs and 123s. A core component of early childhood development is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and there is no better time to reinforce these skills than during the holiday season.
In this post, we’ll share insights from our pre-K near me program on how we intentionally teach gratitude, kindness, and community-building, helping children grow into thoughtful, appreciative members of their families and communities.
The Developmental Impact of Gratitude
Teaching thankfulness is not just about saying “please” and “thank you.” It is a fundamental practice that builds empathy, resilience, and positive self-esteem in young children. According to developmental experts, preschoolers (ages 3-5) are actively developing their understanding of others’ feelings, making this the ideal time to model and practice gratitude as a daily habit.
In Summary: Acknowledging good things helps children shift focus from what they want to what they have, improving their overall emotional well-being and reducing feelings of entitlement.
Classroom Examples of Giving Thanks
We integrate gratitude into our daily routine, making it a natural part of our classroom environment. Here are three ways we practice thankfulness:
1. The Morning Circle of Appreciation
Every morning during our circle time, we dedicate a moment to share appreciation.
- Activity: Children are encouraged to name one person or thing they are thankful for that day. It might be a favorite toy, a sunny day, or a friend who shared a crayon.
- Learning Outcome: This practice builds essential listening and language skills while normalizing the expression of positive feelings. It is a powerful community-building activity that starts the day on a positive note.
2. Community Kindness Projects
We teach children that gratitude often requires action, not just words.
- Activity: Our classes frequently engage in simple service projects, such as creating cheerful cards for local community helpers (firefighters, librarians) or organizing a small food drive for a local shelter.
- Learning Outcome: These hands-on activities help preschoolers understand their role in the broader community and reinforce the concept of giving back. This ties directly into the values we uphold at ABC Ault (learn more on our About Us page).
3. Fall Art: The Thankful Tree
During the fall months, we tie our art projects directly to the theme of thankfulness.
- Activity: Each child is given paper cutouts shaped like leaves. They draw pictures or dictate words to a teacher about something they are thankful for. These leaves are then hung on a large, bare “Thankful Tree” displayed in the classroom or common area.
- Learning Outcome: This project enhances fine motor skills and creative expression, but more importantly, it provides a visual representation of all the positive things in their lives, reinforcing the power of collective gratitude.
Top Tips for Practicing Gratitude at Home
Parents are the child’s first and most important teachers. Here are two tips from our educators to bring these concepts home:
- Model Thankfulness: Children learn by watching. Verbally express gratitude for small things throughout your day (“I’m so thankful for this warm cup of coffee,” or “Thank you for helping me put away the toys”).
- The Dinner Table Share: Make it a family routine to share the “best thing” that happened that day and one thing everyone is thankful for. Keep the rule that answers cannot be repeated!
A Note on Our Preschool Programs
Whether you are looking for a pre k near me or exploring options like free preschools near me, our mission remains the same: to provide a high-quality educational environment where intellectual curiosity is matched by social-emotional growth. Our curriculum is designed to nurture thoughtful, well-rounded learners who are prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Discover how ABC Ault helps preschoolers grow into kind, thoughtful learners through a curriculum focused on the whole child.