This past week I was so touched as a teacher when one of our young 2-year-olds said “thank you” with no prompting after I had finished cleaning her up.

I asked the parents how they had trained their young daughter with such good manners at such a young age. They said the answer was spending time with their child and talking about what they were grateful for on a developmental level she could understand.

Early childhood is such a joyful time because young children’s true nature is so appreciative of the simple things in life.

We as teachers and parents just have to take the time to point these out. Yes, we have to consider the age and what young children can do, but young children can glean and model grateful actions. Below is a simple list of ways you can nurture gratitude.

rLet your young child know that you are grateful for them.

Praise a young child when they help and share. Thank them for the little things they do. A young child’s gifts come straight from their little hands; it may be a colored picture or a great big hug! 

rOn a daily basis ask your child about three good things that happened during their day.

As a parent you will be surprised at how thankful your young child is for family togetherness and simple routines. Bedtime provides a good time to reflect back over the good times of the day. Children can fall off to sleep with a secure sweet slumber of gratitude.

rWhen birthdays roll around, when a young child is given presents, have your child role-play gratitude and to say “thank you” to each person and for each gift given. Having your young child to draw or write thank-you notes is not only a good language-arts lesson, but it teaches your young child the social grace of gratitude.

rDuring this holiday season approaching with Veterans Day tomorrow, Nov. 11, Thanksgiving and Christmas, these provide times for your family to say thank you to families in the armed services as well as joining in on donating food and toys to those who are in need. Guide your young children to pitch in and help others.

Cultivating the spirit of gratitude at a young age enables a lifelong spirit of caring for others.

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.