Thanksgiving is the perfect time to focus on gratitude, but why not start early? Encouraging students to practice thankfulness before the holiday can help them build a deeper appreciation for the good things in life. Whether you're a parent, aunt, guardian or an educator, there are plenty of ways to incorporate gratitude into everyday activities. By nurturing this mindset early, you help children build emotional resilience, foster positive relationships, and improve their overall well-being.

 

Below are age-appropriate strategies and activities for elementary, middle, and high school students that can be practiced both at school and home.

 

Gratitude for Elementary School Students

At this stage, children are developing social skills and learning about emotions. Gratitude can help them understand empathy, kindness, and the value of giving. Here are some engaging activities you can try with younger children:

 

Gratitude Journals



At school: You can encourage your little student to write or draw in a gratitude journal daily. Since elementary students are still developing writing skills, prompts like “What made you smile today?” or “Who helped you today?” make this activity accessible. Many PA Virtual teachers have sharing sessions, which is a perfect time for your student to talk about one thing they are thankful for.

Topic about home: Parents can continue this by setting aside a few minutes each evening for their child to add to their journal. They can ask their child to decorate their journal with colorful drawings, write about something that made them happy while at home or even write a little poem. Make this a creative outlet as well as an emotional one.

 

465044424_977757631062876_5446491880248518453_nGratitude Tree



At school: Teachers can create a classroom gratitude tree. Every day, each student writes or draws something they’re thankful for on a paper leaf, and the leaves are added to the tree. Watching the tree grow reminds students of all the good things in their lives. At PA Virtual, we have a Gratitude Tree in our office, which students from all over the state add to in November. 

At home: Parents can make a mini version by using a small tree branch in a vase. Together, parents and children can add leaves daily and reflect on their “tree of thanks” during dinner or before bed.

 

Gratitude Letters



At school: In this activity, students write a letter to someone they appreciate—like a family member, friend, or even their teacher. The simple act of expressing thanks helps them understand how their relationships positively impact their lives.

At home: Encourage your child to write a letter to a grandparent, neighbor, or even a sibling. For younger kids who are still learning to write, they can dictate the letter while the parent writes it down. Afterward, they can deliver or mail the letter to brighten someone’s day.

 

Gratitude Through Art



At school: Teachers can integrate thankfulness into art lessons by having students create drawings, paintings, or collages of things they are grateful for. This can be an individual project or a group mural, helping children visually connect to their blessings. PA Virtual encourages group art projects and has an art club that little ones can be part of, which can help them complete a project like this. 

At home: Parents can take this activity outdoors by collecting leaves, sticks, and other natural materials to make a "Thankful Nature Collage." While crafting, parents and children can discuss what they are thankful for in nature and in life.



Gratitude for Middle School Students

Middle school students are more independent and able to reflect deeply on their lives. As they navigate more complex social dynamics, gratitude can help them manage stress, improve their relationships, and promote a positive outlook. Here are some engaging activities:

 

 

Beige Aesthetic Celestial Personal Gratitude JournalGratitude Challenges



At school: Teachers can introduce a month-long “Gratitude Challenge” where students perform daily acts of gratitude—like writing a thank-you note, giving a compliment, or helping a classmate. A simple chart can help students track their progress, and the teacher can lead discussions about how the challenge is affecting their mood and interactions.

At home: Parents can join their child in a family gratitude challenge. For example, everyone could commit to expressing thanks to one another in different ways each day—whether through a kind word, a thoughtful action, or a small gesture. This creates an atmosphere of appreciation at home.

 

Gratitude Journaling with Prompts

 

At school: In middle school, students have more advanced writing skills, allowing them to keep more detailed gratitude journals. Teachers can use prompts like “What challenge did you overcome that you are thankful for?” or “Who made you laugh today?”

At home: Parents can encourage daily or weekly journaling with their child, using more reflective prompts. For example, during dinner, ask, “What’s something unexpected that you were thankful for this week?” This helps students recognize small blessings, even in challenging situations.

 

Volunteering or Acts of ServiceTeam of young volunteers picking up litter in the park



At school: Teachers can organize a classroom service project, such as creating care packages for a local shelter or writing cards for hospital patients. Discussing the impact of these acts fosters gratitude for what students have, while also giving back to their community. Pa Virtual offers these service projects throughout the year, but especially in November and December.

At home: Families can volunteer together at a food bank or organize a neighborhood cleanup. These activities help students gain a broader perspective on their lives and develop gratitude for their privileges. Afterward, parents can facilitate a discussion about how the experience made them feel.

 

Social Media Gratitude Campaign



At school: Since many middle schoolers are active on social media, teachers can create a “Gratitude Post Challenge” where students share things they are thankful for online, whether it’s a photo, a kind message, or a shout-out to someone they appreciate.

At home: Parents can monitor and encourage their child’s positive use of social media by participating in a similar family challenge. For example, everyone could post one thing they’re thankful for on their social media accounts each day leading up to Thanksgiving.

Gratitude for High School Students

High school students are becoming more aware of the world and their role in it. Practicing gratitude can help them manage stress, improve emotional health, and foster a sense of purpose. Here are some ideas tailored to older students:

 

Gratitude Vision Boards



At school: Teachers can guide students in creating vision boards focused on things they are thankful for as well as goals for the future. These boards can help students visualize the things they appreciate now while setting intentions for growth.

At home: Parents can do this activity with their teens by using old magazines, photos, or digital platforms to create a family gratitude board. This project encourages thoughtful reflection and serves as a daily reminder of what matters most.


Gratitude Journaling with a Twist



At school: High school students can engage in gratitude journaling with a focus on personal growth. Teachers can introduce prompts like “How has someone’s support shaped your journey?” or “What’s a hardship you faced that you now see the value in?” These deeper reflections help students appreciate not just good moments, but challenges as well.

At home: Parents can encourage their teen to take this practice further by journaling about relationships, school experiences, or personal struggles. They can have a gratitude check-in each week, creating space for meaningful conversations.


Mentoring or Coaching



At school: Teachers can pair older students with younger ones for mentoring or peer coaching, giving them an opportunity to appreciate the responsibility and leadership they are able to offer. It also builds gratitude for the guidance they’ve received from others. 

At home: Parents can encourage their teen to volunteer in a mentoring role outside of school, such as tutoring younger children or helping with community programs. Reflecting on the experience helps students realize the importance of giving back and the impact they can have on others.


Laptop Hockey Reflection on Life Milestones



At school: Teachers can facilitate discussions or essays about important life milestones. Students can reflect on people who have helped them along the way—parents, teachers, coaches, and friends—and express their appreciation through letters, artwork, or presentations.

At home: Parents can help their teens reflect on the past year, identifying key moments that shaped their growth. They can have a family reflection night, where everyone shares the milestones they are most grateful for and the lessons they’ve learned.

 

Family Gratitude Traditions

 

Finally, parents can establish lasting gratitude traditions that go beyond Thanksgiving. These rituals create a culture of thankfulness in the home, helping children and teens build gratitude year-round.

  • Daily Gratitude Practice: Around the dinner table or before bed, each family member shares one thing they are grateful for. This simple tradition reinforces the idea that there is always something to be thankful for, no matter how small.

  • Thankfulness Jar: Throughout the month of November (or the whole year!), family members can write down things they are thankful for and put them in a “Thankfulness Jar.” On Thanksgiving, they can read the notes together and reflect on the positive moments.

  • Gratitude Walks: Take regular walks together, and while walking, each family member shares something they are thankful for. It’s a great way to combine physical activity with a gratitude practice.

  • Acts of Kindness: Encourage family members to practice random acts of kindness, like helping a neighbor or leaving a kind note for a friend. Afterward, discuss how these acts made them feel, reinforcing the link between gratitude and happiness.
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Conclusion

 

By teaching students to practice gratitude before Thanksgiving, parents and educators are equipping them with valuable life skills that extend far beyond the holiday season. Whether through journaling, art, volunteering, or simple conversations, these activities can help students of all ages embrace a mindset of thankfulness, creating a positive ripple effect in their lives and the lives of others. The earlier children learn the power of gratitude, the more resilient, compassionate, and happy they will become.