It is important to think about all of the things in our life that we can be grateful for. So often we tend to focus on the negative things in our life and forget about all the blessings we have each and every day. Our blessings do not need to be huge to make us appreciate our lives. They can be as small as: a smile from someone, hot chocolate, our pet greeting us at the door, a cozy blanket, a visit from a friend.
Focusing on the good things we have in our life, instead of the challenges we face, can change our perspective to being more positive. When we have a positive outlook on life, life is automatically better!
Some things we can do to help us see the positives in our life are:
- Write in a Gratitude Journal - Take a few minutes each day to write down 4 or 5 good things about your day.
- Write a letter - Think about someone who is important in your life. Write down all of the things that you appreciate about them. Then deliver the letter to that person and enjoy their reaction.
- Visit Someone you Appreciate – Spend some time with someone you like and let them know all the reasons why you like them.
- Use Your Manners – Being polite to others by saying “Thank you,” “Sorry,” “Your welcome” or “That was nice of you” can drastically change how others feel about you, and thus make you feel better about yourself. Being kind to others is as important as being kind to ourselves.
- Take a Gratitude Walk – Go for a walk and make a special effort to appreciate everything you see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

Time can seem to go very fast and we forget the little things that make us happy. This activity can help you be mindful of all the things that we are grateful for. Make a paper chain to decorate your home or classroom.

Gratitude Prompts & Resources
As one of the 9 Character Development traits within the CharacterStrong PurposeFull People (elementary) curriculum, enjoy these resources & activities centered on Gratitude. Download your copy today!

"Gratitude scavenger hunt. My kids love to “hunt for treasure” and pretend with me! Believe me, my husband is often standing from afar laughing at us as we enter “imagination land”. Scavenger hunts help kids to become aware of the simple things in nature they can be grateful for. We’ve made a free printable that you can download of the scavenger hunt."

Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky - one of the world's leading Positive Psychology experts - shares the latest insights from her ground-breaking work on happiness....

She focuses on three main habits in this webinar...
1. Gratitude
2. Acts of Kindness
3. Social interactions and connections

In honour of Truth and Reconciliation Week, the Canadian Olympic School Program is proud to feature the stories of two distinct Indigenous Team Canada athletes, Jesse Cockney and Jillian Weir. Through their personal growth and achievements, they have brought Indigenous voices to the forefront.

Students will explore the themes of gratitude and inclusion, making links between their world, curriculum and stories.

Athlete Stories are available in two different reading levels, Kindergarten – Grade 3 and Grade 4- 6. Each story is accompanied by discussion questions and learning activities that teachers can easily integrate into their curriculum.

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life. Enroll for free.
SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN
Gratitude
Happiness
Meditation
Savoring

Everyone wants things in their life. The problem is we often just think about what we want and then feel sad that we don’t have what we want. Sometimes we can obtain what we want by changing what we are doing, how we are acting or what we are thinking! Other times what we want depends on someone else changing or doing something. This is where we run into problems! When our wants depend on someone else, we are often doomed in ever being able to get that want fulfilled. If this is the case, then we must change what we want. Or realize we need to make a change without them changing.
In the table below ask yourself the following questions, and then fill in the boxes and do what you need to do to get your want.

"Embrace the fun over winter break with these creative activity ideas. Cut out the cards and drop them into a jar for kids to choose from.
Challenge them to complete 10 before the New Year!"

Check out this App (Apple and Android) to Support Your Child's Social Emotional Growth!

What Is It? "Wisdom: The World of Emotions" is the leading social-emotional learning interactive game for children ages four to eight.

Developed by Better Kids, this free game is designed to build SEL skills through play.

Parents and caregivers can play the game with their children and use Better Kids' supplemental hands-on activities to help their child practice healthy coping strategies and gratitude.

The app’s Parent Board offers printables and hands-on activities that help your child practice mindfulness, healthy coping strategies, gratitude and more, both independently and together with their caregiver.

Wisdom and their cat will appear into your home and coach your child through Augmented Reality breathing games: Breathing with Wisdom, Bubble Breathing and a calming Glitter Jar.

Access playful parenting tips in the Parent Board that will help you address common challenges.