Expressing Thanks (Gratitude)

  •   Tue, Dec 09 2025
  •   By S N Bhat, Saipangallu

December 9, 2025

When someone does something good, it is very important to recognize their effort and respond positively by saying “Thank you”. Saying words like 'thank you' or 'praise' acts as a reward for their hard work. This greatly increases the person's happiness and motivation, encouraging them to do even better in the future. Accepting a good deed with gratitude (not just praising the work) strengthens a good relationship and trust between people. Therefore, when something good happens, it is important to express your appreciation with the simple words: "Thank you."*

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is the sincere act of recognizing the good things in our lives and the kind acts others have done for us, and showing that we feel thankful (indebted). This is a vital value for a child's mental, emotional, and social development. The main job of parents and teachers is not just to teach children to say 'thank you,' but to help them understand the feeling behind the word.

How Elders Show Gratitude?

Elders can express their thanks in many simple and powerful ways:

Words: Simply saying "Thank you," along with explaining how important the help was, perhaps offering a blessing or good wishes.

Simple Gifts: Giving a small gift, sharing home-cooked food, or offering advice based on their own experience.

Actions: A smile, a loving touch (like patting the back or head), joining hands in Namaskara, or showing sincere appreciation in their eyes.

All these methods show genuine, heartfelt thanks clearly and kindly.

The Danger of Not Showing Thanks

Children who do not express gratitude eventually develop an ‘entitlement mindset’. This means they start seeing the help and comforts they receive as something others must do, not as special gifts.

Because of this selfish attitude, children often focus on what they don't have instead of the good things they do have, leaving them feeling unhappy and dissatisfied. Over time, the lack of gratitude weakens relationships with parents and others because their love and hard work are not appreciated. In the long run, this lack of gratitude can reduce a child's empathy and resilience (the ability to handle difficulty), which prevents them from developing a positive character in society.

Benefits of Being Grateful

Positive View: Grateful children see the world around them in a more positive way.

Less Stress: Gratitude helps children reduce negative feelings like stress, anxiety, and jealousy. They are happier and more peaceful.

Better Relationships: Recognizing and praising others' help builds stronger bonds, increasing love and trust among family and friends.

Empathy: Grateful children understand the effort of others, which naturally builds empathy and encourages them to help others too.

The Story of the Ant and the Raindrop

Here is a short story to easily help children understand the importance of gratitude.

One day, Chintu the ant was carrying a sugar grain toward its home when a sudden, heavy rain started. The raindrops were huge, and Chintu was scared. It started to cry because its precious sugar grain was dissolving in the water. At that moment, a beautiful Ladybug was sitting on a nearby leaf. Seeing the ant in trouble, the Ladybug quickly broke off a green piece of the leaf and brought it near Chintu. "Chintu, hold this like an umbrella and run to your home. You will be safe," it said.

Chintu was surprised by the Ladybug's kindness. The ant sincerely said, "Thank you!" to the kind Ladybug for the leaf. Under the shelter of the leaf, Chintu safely reached its home.

After the rain stopped, Chintu brought its best sugar grain and gave it to the Ladybug. "This is a small gift I can give you. I will always be grateful for the help you gave me," Chintu said.

This story shows that whether the help is big or small, we must honour it and show our thanks with love. This makes our character beautiful.

Ways to Teach Gratitude to Children

To teach gratitude, preaching is not enough; it must be made a continuous habit

Be a Role Model: Children must see their parents saying 'thank you' to others in daily life—for example, thanking the person who delivers the newspaper, the cook, or the shopkeeper.

The 'Thank You Jar' Activity: Get a nice jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. The rule is simple: every night before bed, the child must remember ‘one good thing’ someone did for them that day. Encourage them to write it down or draw a picture, fold the slip, and put it in the jar. When the jar is opened on a special day (like a birthday or New Year's Eve, the child remembers all the love and kindness they received that year, bringing them immense joy and gratitude.

Encourage Helping: Ask children to help with chores around the house. This makes them understand the effort required for the work others do for them.

Gratitude is not just a good quality; it is the key to a happy and prosperous life. Teaching this to children means giving them a strong mindset for a better tomorrow

 

 

 
By S N Bhat, Saipangallu
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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Tue, Dec 09 2025

    Dear Sirsure it is very interesting topic with lot of angels.Sure you are right ,gift is a way to thank one for his support ,Birthday ,or special day.It should come from heart ,not only a must.Who doesnt have enough any money ,can also say a simple thank you from heart.I remember a writing long back in a weekly.A child was invited to Birthday party of rich kid.Many came with gifts ,as well as a poor friend.As they opend the gifts,gift package was covered with colourful nice papers.Among them rich one brought a chocolate packed with nice paper.Poor girl had o colourful paper but ordinary paper .Inside was a very interesting story book which the birthday girl liked very much than an other.Here in Germany xmas is a time everyone gifts to almost others a gift,Doctor ,family members etc ,A big hyp.Many times alcohol ,but a fail gift.Even gold jewellary to family members.I find as you said from heart coming a big thank you for special events is really a good gift.Thank you for your write .Hope to hear more.


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