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by Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
When many parents and other folks do
things for children, they rarely expect a formal thank-you, even a "thanks" on the fly, although it would be appropriate
and well-received indeed. Nevertheless, the attitude of
thankfulness, aside from the hurry of our everyday is one which
children need and parents need to cultivate in them!
Actually, being openly thankful for
something, an act of kindness, gift, or a surprise helping hand is
a sign of good character, a trait to be admired and desired.
Research also shows us that slowing down to take stock of all we
have or see and then showing appreciation of it, is a significant
way to make more of our busy time. Just the words, "How kind
of you," or "I really appreciate this, make for
a smile and a boost in the comfort zone of all concerned. Practice
here is potentially character building. People learn what they
live, especially in recognizing others' kindness and
efforts.
Students in my Character Education classes
often express surprise at how much a younger person can do to help
others and make others happy. In discussions about the possible
effects of words, they often admit they hadn't realized the
power of the simple words, "Thank you!" In
role-playing, scripted trials, students were most pleased with the
character's responses and reactions when someone showed
appreciation with those simple, inexpensive famous easily-delivered
words.
In giving thanks in words, parents
sometimes also share how simple it is to model thankfulness while
assisting their children in literally giving thanks — say in
making a thank-you card or poster for grandma or a neighbor,
showing and telling their thank-yous maybe with drawings as well as
words! And then — giving the hand-crafted heart-felt item to
the surprised, very pleased recipient. Parents report that the
sincere conversations, while everyone's working on a kitchen
table full of crayons and pretty colored paper, goes to the topic
of appreciation in a big way — something that can never be
purchased in running in and buying at a greeting card store.
No doubt, Grandma or Grandpa or the
neighbor will frame this kind of very giving thanks to keep forever
close to their hearts. I saw one framed on the wall of a kitchen, a
crayon-scrawled,"Momma. Thank you for the VERY good
pancakes." The thanksgiving child is now a man of 45!
One last suggestion when helping children
give thanks. Discuss what the thanks given is for and how the
givers really feel about what they've experienced and why
they are responding nicely with this thanks. If they're not
creating a card, instead, picking up the phone or Webcam, then all
have an ear-to-ear or face-to-face, never-to-be-forgotten, hearty
thanksgiving!
©2008 Rosemary Lee Potter. All
Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D., has been a
teacher since 1960, including 21 years at Safety Harbor Middle
School, and is now a reading teacher at Carwise Middle School, Palm
Harbor. Contact her at rosemary_potter@msn.com or by mail in care
of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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