Gratitude from the Latin word ‘gratus’, meaning thankful and pleasing. Gratitude is a feeling or attitude that one has in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. Like the feeling of appreciation, gratitude is an emotion and taking the time to appreciate what you have is one of the keys to cultivating gratitude. Research suggests that gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being contributing to life satisfaction, happiness, optimism, hope and positive affect. Gratitude is different from other caring emotions such as empathy and compassion because it can be intentionally cultivated. Teaching children and students an attitude of gratitude requires helping them to look at their situations from a point of appreciation rather than from a deficit. The activities sourced and designed provide opportunities for children and students to experience being supported and affirmed by other people and reciprocate these actions and feelings contributing to the creation of harmonious inclusive classrooms. Gratitude can be contagious reaching far beyond our classrooms into our communities.

Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty is a great book about a boy named Andy who creates a friendship with a wounded lion. Students can discuss why the lion was grateful to Andy and explore what gratitude feels like making meaningful personal connections.