Teaching Children How To Thank Others Scott Reeves Nov 27, 2007 11:00 am |
![]() |
|
||||||||||||
|
Your example is crucial. When your child asks why it’s important, start by saying it’s simply the polite thing to do and make sure they see you thanking others.
“Set a time soon after the holidays to write thank-you notes,” says Karen Waldron, Ph.D., author of Unleashing Kids’ Potential: What Parents, Grandparents, and Teachers Need to Know. “Put pen to paper – no e-mails.”
Be sure your children see you write thank-you notes to relatives. Read the completed note aloud and ask your kids, “Is there anything we left out?” Let the kids pick out the cards. If they’re young, keep an eye out for over-sized, kid-friendly cards. Then make your kids part of preparing the thank-you notes, no matter how small the role. Give young children the important task of affixing the stamps and return address stickers to the envelopes and putting the letters in the mailbox.
Don’t relegate this task to girls because boys need to learn to say thanks, too.
If the child is too young to write a note, talk to grandparents on the phone or have the kid dictate a note. Urge the child to discuss the gift and how it will be used.
You don’t want the comments to be scripted, but suggest that the child say the size and color are perfect if the gift is a clothing item or the stuffed animal is a much needed addition to the menagerie. In short, set the framework and let the child fill in the blanks.
Be sure your child understands how important it is to others to say thanks because you want it to be more than rote mumbling or a pro forma scribble. Tell the child that others need to know that you appreciate their efforts on your behalf.
Some suggest rewarding children with treats for saying thanks. This is a mistake. Children should say thanks because it’s the right thing to do – not because it gets them a piece of candy. Instead, praise your children for saying thanks and tell them that it means a lot to their grandparents.
If your child is young – say under seven – tell the kid he won’t understand how important it is until he’s all grown up and has kids of his own, but "Trust me, kiddo, it’s important to say thanks."
If your child is shy or intimidated by crowds, practice saying thanks with the child before a family event. Remember that success builds confidence so set your child up to succeed.
If your child gets carried away by the excitement of a large family event, take a moment in private to remind the child to say thanks. Never have this conversation in public or denigrate the child for forgetting. These things take time and patience. Take this basic tack: Positive feedback builds positive behavior.
So, be sure to praise the child for acting properly and saying thanks. There’s no need to be wildly effusive. In private, tell your child that he handled it just right and is growing up. For young children, there is no greater compliment than acting like a grownup or handling a situation like an adult.
If things weren’t handled well, gently remind your child what needs to be done. Then note the kid’s solid attempt and say the next effort will be better.
It’s often said that the best gifts come from the heart – not the store. Build on this folk wisdom and explain to your child that the real meaning of a gift is made clear to giver and recipient by saying thanks.
Check out our collection of the very best in parent-friendly personal finance, Shopping With a Purpose, for ideas and information on helping your children learn and grow through finance this holiday season and beyond!
discuss this article and more on the mv exchange |
|
No positions in stocks mentioned.
Get real-time options trading ideas from Steve Smith, veteran options trader and newsletter author, plus let him show you the way to cut risk and boost your returns through the strategic use of options. Click here for a free 14 day trial to OptionSmith by Steve Smith.
Get real-time options trading ideas from Steve Smith, veteran options trader and newsletter author, plus let him show you the way to cut risk and boost your returns through the strategic use of options. Click here for a free 14 day trial to OptionSmith by Steve Smith.
The information on this website solely reflects the analysis of or opinion about the performance of securities and financial markets by the writers whose articles appear on the site. The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily the views of Minyanville Media, Inc. or members of its management. Nothing contained on the website is intended to constitute a recommendation or advice addressed to an individual investor or category of investors to purchase, sell or hold any security, or to take any action with respect to the prospective movement of the securities markets or to solicit the purchase or sale of any security. Any investment decisions must be made by the reader either individually or in consultation with his or her investment professional. Minyanville writers and staff may trade or hold positions in securities that are discussed in articles appearing on the website. Writers of articles are required to disclose whether they have a position in any stock or fund discussed in an article, but are not permitted to disclose the size or direction of the position. Nothing on this website is intended to solicit business of any kind for a writer's business or fund. Minyanville management and staff as well as contributing writers will not respond to emails or other communications requesting investment advice.
Copyright 2009 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2009 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| add rss feed | free article alerts |
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennesee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Local Guides
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennesee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Local Guides















