Our value of the month at METNS for November is thankfulness. Following on from harvest time, November is the month where Thanksgiving is celebrated. This festival gives us an opportunity to appreciate all the good things we have and to acknowledge our good fortune.
Why Thankfulness Matters:
What is thankfulness? We describe thankfulness as having an attitude of gratitude. We show thankfulness when we are grateful for all that we have. Gratitude is classified as one of the ten major positive emotions and a growing body of research shows that positive emotions are linked to increased well-being. Research also shows that it is the frequency rather than the intensity of positive emotions, which enhances well-being. This means that adopting an attitude of gratitude is one way to enhance our wellness on a daily basis! Studies show that grateful people are pro-socially oriented, more forgiving, supportive and empathic. Encouraging gratitude in children helps them to develop positive relationships and to boost their mood.
Thankfulness and our School:
A value is a principle that guides your thinking and behaviour. How does a focus on Thankfulness do this? Having an attitude of gratitude makes us alert to all the positive things in our lives. It means thinking about and noticing what we have, instead of what we don’t have. Even a difficult day will have its rainbow moments!
At METNS, the Weaving Wellbeing programme helps children to understand the importance of positive emotions to their well-being. The Positive Emotions programme introduces children to five evidence-based strategies to boost positive emotion on a daily basis. Practising gratitude is one of the five essential ingredients for a positive emotion potion, which can be used daily to promote a positive mind-set.
Make it your goal this November to count your blessings and to appreciate all the good things in your life. In these challenging times for everyone, it may be helpful to focus on the small everyday things we sometimes take for granted. Try ‘Hunt the Good Stuff’ regularly with the family, where each person acknowledges the top five rainbow moments or highlights of the day. You might also like to play the Gratitude Game attached from the Big Life Journal.
