Instilling Islamic values is more challenging than it sounds. It is even more difficult when you teach it to children. However, as parents, we want our little ones to grow up embodying the attributes of Islam. Cultivating gratitude, for instance, is a responsibility that we should nurture in our kids. But how can we teach gratitude to our children in this age?
Worry no more, because you are not alone in this journey. Here are practical tips and strategies that have worked wonders for us in instilling gratitude in our little ones:
1. Daily Gratitude Reflections
It is more meaningful for your kids to learn the significance of gratitude with you in the picture. You can gather as a family and reflect on things you are grateful for every day. From the moment you wake up in the morning, you teach them simple prayers to express appreciation to the Creator. This simple practice helps your children appreciate the simple joys and blessings they receive every day.
2. Be a Role Model
Children love imitating adults. This is also a crucial stage in their life to learn and practice Islamic values. As parents, we can make it easy for them to learn these values by showing them in our daily routines. We make it to a point to express our gratitude openly and consistently. It could be thanking each other for help around the house or acknowledging the blessings we receive from Allah SWT every day. Expressing gratefulness whenever you can doesn’t just develop into a habit but inspires your little ones to do the same.
3. Acts of Kindness
Islamic values go hand in hand. Encouraging our children to perform simple acts of kindness fosters gratitude and empathy. For example, during Shawwal, we engage in charity work as a family, whether it’s donating to the less fortunate or volunteering our time at local organizations. We also try to show simple acts of kindness in our daily lives such as opening a door for an elder, helping in the household chores, greeting our colleagues in the morning, and many more. These simple deeds can go a long way. If your children witness these deeds, it cultivates a sense of gratitude and fulfillment in their hearts.
4. Gratitude Journal
Another good practice to nurture gratitude in your children is to introduce them to a gratitude journal where they can write the things they are thankful for in a day. It doesn’t matter if these things are small or big, tell them to jot them down. Our kids are sometimes hesitant or shy in showing appreciation for the blessings showered to them. Still, by teaching this simple practice, you help them develop a habit of showing gratitude and help them focus on the positive things.
5. Storytelling Sessions
In our previous blogs, we have established the positive and meaningful impact of stories on our children. Stories have a powerful way of imparting values. During Shawwal, we incorporate storytelling sessions into our nightly routine, sharing tales of gratitude from Islamic history and our family experiences. These stories connect deeply with our children, teaching them the importance of gratitude in their lives.
Another powerful tip to cultivate gratitude in our little ones is to teach them duas that connect with the Creator. Teaching them supplications in their daily prayers can guide our little ones and at the same time, express their thankfulness to Allah SWT’s countless blessings.
Nurturing gratitude in our children, especially during Shawwal is a rewarding journey. By incorporating these practical tips and strategies into our daily lives, we can instill a lifelong attitude of gratitude in our kids, which brings them closer to Allah SWT.
Remember, as parents, our greatest legacy lies in raising grateful and compassionate individuals who embody the teachings of Islam in their thoughts, words, and actions.
In shaa Allah, these efforts will be rewarded in this life and the Hereafter.