Season of Gratitude

Posted by CASE for Kids on 11/8/2024 8:05:00 AM

Congratulations after school professionals, you’ve made it from the beginning of the school year and the start your fall program, to transitioning to the holiday season and to end of the of the fall semester. It’s truly inspiring to see the dedication and positive impact after-school professionals have on the lives of young students. After school programs provides us with good fortune of working with and being a positive influence in the lives of school aged youth.

We are all aware of the story of the first Thanksgiving, depicting Pilgrims showing gratitude to the Native Americans for their assistance for their first successful harvest. Although there may be different perspectives of the accuracy of this event, the concept of youth acknowledging the opportunities afforded to them during non-school hours is a critical element of social emotional learning.  According to Froh, Bono, and Emmons (2010), assisting youth with understanding the power of gratitude may create a desire in them to give back to their neighborhood, community, and world.

Research also indicates that when people practice gratitude, it can have a profound impact on our overall well-being and happiness. It can be incredibly valuable to take the time to reflect on our students’ engagement with our programs and listen to their perspectives. It not only helps us appreciate the positive impact of our programs but also provides insights into how we can improve and better meet their needs (Kerry, Chhabra, and Clifton, 2023). This mindset helps to foster a greater sense of appreciation, contentment, and satisfaction among program staff, school faculty, parents and students.

Having access to after-school programs provides students with valuable opportunities for learning, growth, and social interaction, that they might not otherwise have the time and place to share. These programs can be a safe space for students to explore their interests, receive academic support, and build meaningful relationships. Although our students come from a variety of economic backgrounds, having them acknowledge and be grateful for the positive things in their lives is a good practice. This might have to be a guided activity. For example, reminding students that their ability to attend an after-school program is a luxury that many other students do not have. Or spending time with friends and fostering positive relationships is a great way to enhance students’ overall well-being and happiness. By encouraging youth to be grateful and positive not only helps students appreciate the good things in their lives, but also helps them build a supportive and joyful community.

 


References 

Froh, J.J., Bono, G. & Emmons, R. Being grateful is beyond good manners: Gratitude and motivation to contribute to society among early adolescents. Motiv Emot 34, 144–157 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-010-9163-z

Kerry, N., Chhabra, R., & Clifton, J. D. (2023). Being Thankful for what you have: a systematic review of evidence for the effect of gratitude on life satisfaction. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 4799-4816.