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How important is childhood to shaping the future adult? The days of youth are more than just the beginning of a person’s story; they form the habits, attitudes, and perceptions that shape the course of someone’s life.
With this in mind, especially today on International Youth Day, it seems an optimal time to remember that we adults are morally obligated to model gratitude for the next generation.
I grew up part of a humble family in a developing nation. We did not have the means to live extravagantly, but I never felt like we were missing anything because we were so happy and grateful for every single thing we had. As I grew older and reflected on my childhood, I realized I was so fortunate to have been raised in a home where adults continually modeled gratitude for my siblings and me.
Here in South Florida, some children are born more privileged than others, but regardless of individual circumstance, every child benefits from being exposed to gratitude.
More and more studies show the essential value of teaching and expressing gratitude to our youth. Gratitude goes far beyond remembering to say “thank you,” and has been linked to emotional and mental well-being as well as social health in children and adolescents.
Unfortunately, gratitude doesn’t come naturally to most; it must be taught by the words and actions of adults. However, children have the aptitude to be great students of gratitude when adults model that behavior.
Gratitude, at its core, teaches children implicitly that they should be genuinely thankful for the most basic things that many take for granted, and many more live without: a healthy body, a loving friend, clean water, and nutritious food.
Gratitude is an awareness of the present and a learned ability to notice the blessings of this moment. It softens the hard lesson that “life isn’t fair” by helping children focus on what is good, what is miraculous, what is precious – however fleeting.
To truly break through to children and adolescents, we must show them what gratitude is with actions, not just words. We need to demonstrate genuine gratitude ourselves before expecting those we are teaching to learn the lesson. Fortunately, if we lead by example and live in gratitude, we also reap the benefits of a grateful mindset.
Here are a few ways adults can demonstrate gratitude to children:
- Regularly share your blessings with family and friends, and encourage them to share theirs with you
- Look for opportunities to explain the benefits of growing up in America to youngsters
- Praise children when they demonstrate gratitude toward others
- Lead by example: get involved in charitable activities that help those in need
On International Youth Day — and every day — I hope we readers of Miami Community Newspapers will do something essential for the children of our community — rich or poor, healthy or sick, happy or sad. I hope we teach them how to be grateful.
Lu Urdaneta is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of MONAT Gratitude, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in South Florida that focuses on gratitude as a way of living and supports efforts under its three pillars: Families, Children, and Education.
