Positive Guidance: Building Social Skills and Thankfulness in Young Children

Positive guidance is a powerful approach that helps children build essential life skills like self-control, self-esteem, and the ability to manage stress. Rooted in empathy and respect, positive guidance allows children to feel a sense of belonging, helping them learn how to express their feelings and understand social cues. For teachers, incorporating positive guidance isn’t just about maintaining a happy classroom—it’s about shaping the way children grow and interact with the world.

As we approach the season of giving, teachers have an incredible opportunity to help children develop thankfulness, a skill that enhances positive relationships and builds emotional resilience. Here are some activities and ideas to foster thankfulness in young children while embracing a positive guidance framework.

1. Thankfulness Circle Time

Start the day with a thankfulness circle. Have each child share one thing they are thankful for, big or small. This activity encourages children to recognize the good around them and practice expressing gratitude. Teachers can model by sharing their own reasons for thankfulness, making it a group experience that reinforces a sense of community and mutual respect.

2. Thankfulness Art Wall

Create a "Thankfulness Wall" where children can draw or write about things they appreciate. The wall can be decorated with autumn-themed colors and symbols to reflect the season. By sharing these creations, children see that gratitude can take many forms and begin to understand its importance. This ongoing project also reinforces the concept of positive self-expression.

3. Kindness Chain

Build a kindness chain in the classroom by adding a link for each kind or helpful action a child performs. When children help one another, recognize their kindness by adding a link with their name or a picture of the deed. Watching the chain grow encourages thankfulness for each other and highlights how individual actions contribute to a positive classroom environment.

4. Thankful Journals

For older preschoolers or early elementary children, a thankfulness journal is a great tool. Give each child a small notebook where they can draw or write what they’re thankful for each day. Teachers can prompt children by asking questions like, "What made you smile today?" or "Who helped you today?" These reflections build self-awareness and allow children to process and appreciate positive experiences.

5. Gratitude Songs and Stories

Integrate songs and stories that emphasize gratitude and appreciation. Sing songs like "Thanks a Lot" by Raffi or read stories that celebrate thankfulness. Stories and music reinforce the message in a fun, engaging way and make it easier for young children to connect with these values.

6. Helping Hands Day

Choose one day a week to be "Helping Hands Day." Pair children up or encourage them to look for ways to assist others, such as sharing toys, helping clean up, or offering a kind word. Afterward, have a short reflection where children can talk about their experiences and share how it felt to help or be helped. This activity instills the joy of giving and receiving support within the classroom.

7. Create a Thankfulness Tree

Draw or craft a "Thankfulness Tree" on a bulletin board or classroom wall. Each child can add a leaf to the tree with something they’re grateful for. This visually represents thankfulness growing and changing, just as trees do. As the tree fills with leaves, children see the abundance of things to be thankful for in their lives.

Why Thankfulness Matters in Positive Guidance

By helping children develop thankfulness, teachers are reinforcing empathy, patience, and resilience—all values central to positive guidance. These activities not only make children more appreciative of those around them, but they also foster a classroom atmosphere where children feel safe, valued, and capable. When children practice gratitude, they’re more likely to view challenges positively and develop a sense of self-worth rooted in empathy and understanding.

Incorporating thankfulness into the classroom using positive guidance techniques gives children the skills to build strong relationships and equips them with a lifelong sense of belonging and joy. As we enter the season of gratitude, teachers can make a lasting impact by guiding children toward a mindset of appreciation, kindness, and community.