Thank you notes have always been a way for kids to communicate even when they are shy or don’t know how to express themselves. Thank you notes are not just words that say thank you, but are an expression of gratitude – a feeling that can easily be ignored.
We all receive gifts and say how lovely on opening them, but how many times have we actually called to say a thank you, or deeply expressed how much we use or find the gift fulfilling? But why should we ever express gratitude in the first place? Gratitude is one of the most ignored feelings and expressing gratitude acknowledges the fact that you appreciate what someone did for you.
Writing thank you notes as a child helps to acknowledge the thought that others have put into getting us something. It sets a routine to close the ends of a happy situation with a final acknowledgement.
Ways to write thank you notes for kids
When kids start writing, it’s best to ask them to write little notes to close friends and family to get them into a habit of acknowledging others. As they grow older (7-10 years), it’s important that kids think about how they feel positively about the gift received and express themselves in a longer card. Little children can even send short videos saying thanks to the gift givers.
Reasons to write thank you notes
-It teaches kids to show gratitude
-Kids learn to think through their thoughts and express themselves clearly
-A thank you note shoes that you honour the giver
-Thank you notes form a part of good manners
-Expressing themselves on paper improves their language skills
When a child or any person takes time out to write a thank you note, it encourages thoughtfulness. It is evidence of how much thought the person has put into using and appreciating something.
Thank you notes need not be only for gifts, they are for any kind of help, service or advice received. So the next time you write a note or encourage kids to write one, be glad for the gratitude you are spreading.