GRATITUDE

The classroom was quiet. All children were furiously writing. Honest and open thoughts were actively encouraged and engagement in the task couldn’t be faulted. Studious looks could be seen. 

The day was nearly over in the Year 3/4 class at Te Uku Primary. After a few minutes, my colleague raised her voice a little. “Right everyone. Sharing time.” 

Notebooks were clutched and insights into gratitude flowed around the class - “Thanks for a wonderful teacher, my dry house, my beautiful sister, my family, my dad cause it’s his birthday, my kind mum, my baby brother, God and Jesus, fish in the sea, not having war, Matariki, the rain cause we got to watch a movie, grandparents, a safe cosy bed, for love and care I get at home, a roof over my head, I’m grateful for being alive because some people aren’t.” Different, honest and individual thoughts and reasons why the students felt grateful.

Shared smiles between the reader and audience rippled around the circle. Don’t you love it when children teach you things.

POINTS TO PONDER
We have a lot to be grateful for. Gratitude journals are such a simple way for children and adults to stop complaining and be positive.
Journaling is good for our well-being and our thoughts show us that we have much to be satisfied with in life. Our lives are way too busy. We need to ‘Slow down, Stop, Think, Write’.
Writing about a few things each day, gets us thinking less about ourselves and more about others.