Fostering an Attitude of Gratitude:
Tips for Parents
Communiqué Handout: November 2009, Volume 38, Number 3 1
Communiqué is the newspaper of the National Association of School Psychologists │ www.nasponline.org │ (301) 657-0270
How many times have you told your child to appreciate the good things in life and to say “thank you?”
Probably a lot. Well, the field of positive psychology is interested in gratitude and its beneficial effects on
well-being. In fact, research has shown that people who experience gratitude have more positive emotions,
such as joy, love, and happiness; have fewer negative emotions, such as bitterness, envy, and resentment;
have increased feelings of connectedness and improved relationships; experience greater satisfaction with
school and improved academic achievement; and even have better physical health than people who don’t
take the time to notice and appreciate the good things in their lives.
Parents can help their children develop the attitude of gratitude through a variety of simple acts and