Thankfulness is a basic life skill that assists children to become empathetic, appreciative, and more mindful. Amidst the chaotic pace of current times, in which food can easily be overlooked, it’s essential to teach children to thank their meals. Developing thankfulness early on has the potential to make them good, mindful, and appreciative people. Follow these easy tips to assist kids in becoming more thankful for the food they consume.
1. Teach Them Where Food Comes from Most
Kids don’t understand the work involved in getting food onto their plates. Teach them about the life of food—farms, stores and the kitchen.
- You can visit a farm or a supermarket and show them how fruits, vegetables, and cereals are cultivated.
- Watch farming and food-producing videos or read books with them.
- Engage them in shopping for groceries and have them select fresh produce.
Example: Invite your child to ask where milk originates. When they reply, “the fridge,” use it as a prompt to describe how it travels from a cow on a farm to the store and then to your home.
2. Involve Kids in Meal Preparation
When children participate in cooking, they appreciate their meals more. Encourage them to:
- Help wash vegetables, mix ingredients, or set the table.
- Try simple recipes with your guidance.
- Understand the effort it takes to prepare meals, making them more thankful.
Example: Ask your child to assist in mixing the batter when baking cookies. After they have tasted the final product, they will feel accomplished and appreciate the work that goes into preparing food.
3. Eat Together as a Family
Meals together with family offer a chance to connect and think about the food we consume. Make meals special by:
- Dining together without distractions such as TV or phones.
- Fostering discussion of the food—where it originated, who prepared it, and why it matters.
- Expressing what everyone is thankful for before the meal begins.
Example: Begin a tradition where every family member says one thing they like about the meal. It can be something as basic as “I love how fresh the vegetables taste today!”
4. Discuss Food Waste
The children must realize that food is precious and ought not to be wasted. Explain to them:
- To eat only what they can consume and finish their plates.
- The value of leftovers.
- The fact that other people in other parts of the world go without food is for them to appreciate the food they have.
Example: Show them how leftover rice can be turned into fried rice the next day, reinforcing the idea that food should not be wasted.
5. Encourage Thankfulness Before Eating
Creating a small ritual before meals can instill gratitude. Simple ways to do this include:
- Saying a short prayer or a “thank you” before eating.
- Acknowledging the hard work of the person who cooked the meal.
- Asking kids to share one thing they appreciate about the meal.
Example: Before eating, ask, “Who worked hard to make this meal?” and encourage them to thank the cook, whether it’s a parent, grandparent, or sibling.
6. Tell Stories of Food Shortages
Informing children of times when food was scarce—either through personal experiences or history—teaches them its value. You can:
- Read stories of food shortages and generosity
- Discuss the various cultures’ respect and appreciation for food.
- Ask them to contribute food to the local shelters or neighborhood food drives.
Example: Read a children’s bedtime story about a kid who struggled to earn food and use this as an opportunity to teach your child about the value of thankfulness.
7. Set an Example
Kids learn and imitate through observing their parents. Demonstrate appreciation for food by:
- Giving thanks to the cook.
- Not complaining about food and rather emphasizing its value.
- Eating with care and not wasting any food.
Example: Instead of saying, “I don’t like this dish,” say, “I appreciate the effort put into making this meal.”
8. Teach Sharing and Giving
Teach children to share with friends, family, or others in need. They can:
- Pack a spare snack for a friend who has forgotten theirs.
- Assist with food donations for the needy.
- Join community meal programs.
Example: If your child receives a treat, encourage them to take a bite with a friend or sibling.
9. Educate on the Importance of Hard Work
Children should be taught that producing, preparing, and serving food involves work. Share such experiences as:
- Taking them to a restaurant and explaining how the chef and waiters work hard to prepare meals.
- Asking them to assist with cleaning up after meals.
- Explain how much work goes into making money to purchase food.
Example: Make them realize how much work it is to do the dishes after dinner so they can be more thankful for the whole process.
10. Make Gratitude a Habit of Daily Life
Gratitude should not only be meal-time oriented but become a daily habit. Encourage this habit by:
- Having children maintains a gratitude journal.
- Having them state one thing they’re grateful for each day.
- Living gratitude in all aspects of life.
Example: At night, ask your child, “What was the highlight of your day?” and nudge them towards appreciating little things, such as a great meal.
Conclusion:
Teaching children thankfulness for their food is not only about food—it’s about instilling a culture of appreciation and consciousness. Through cooking with them, talking to them about food origins, and modeling good behavior, we can bring up children who appreciate what they have. Small steps lead to big differences in creating a grateful and mindful generation.
Turn every meal into a lesson in gratitude—start today!