As parents, we’re always trying to nurture good readers and good humans at the same time. Gratitude and literacy may seem like different pursuits—one rooted in the heart, the other in the mind—but they’re deeply connected. Both grow through daily practice, attentive listening, and the words we choose to share with our children.
Reading and writing can help kids name what they’re thankful for, express appreciation, and reflect on the people and moments that make their lives richer. Likewise, practicing gratitude helps children develop empathy and perspective—skills that make them more thoughtful readers and communicators.
Here are 10 simple, meaningful ways to build both thankfulness and literacy at once.
1. Read Stories of Generosity and Gratitude
Choose books that highlight giving, kindness, and appreciation—from Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts to Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. As you read, pause to ask: “How did the character show gratitude?” or “How did someone’s kindness make a difference?” These small conversations help children connect language with feeling, building their self-expression abilities and social-emotional intelligence.
2. Start a Family Gratitude Journal
Keep a notebook where everyone records something they’re thankful for, then fill it in on a schedule that works for you—for example, at Thanksgiving and other holidays, every Friday or Sunday, or even daily. Younger kids can draw pictures or dictate their thoughts for you to write down. Over time, they’ll see how words capture moments and emotions—and that gratitude is a story worth telling again and again.
3. Write Thank-You Notes Together
After birthdays, holidays, or just-because moments when they receive a gift or kindness from someone, help kids write or illustrate thank-you cards. Model how to move beyond “thanks for the gift” by adding detail: “I loved the sparkly markers because I can use them to make cards for my friends.” Writing for a real audience makes literacy meaningful.
4. Tell Gratitude Stories at Bedtime
End the day by sharing one thankful thought aloud. You might say, “I’m grateful for our walk to the park,” then invite your child to share theirs. This sharing tradition strengthens vocabulary, listening skills, and family bonds as it builds a healthy mindset. It can also help kids settle emotionally, so they can sleep better. Of course, part of a healthy mindset is flexibility and responsibility, so don’t beat yourself up on nights you can’t make this happen or force it when your child isn’t feeling it. Just blend it into your wind-down when it feels right.
5. Share Gratitude for One Another
Create space to share something each family member appreciates about the other members of your household. This could be over family dinner, during Thanksgiving or holiday celebrations, at bedtime, or while writing in your family journal. Sharing your gratitude for one another fosters oral language and family connections, with benefits for the whole family, young and old.
6. Make a “Thankful Alphabet”
For a special Thanksgiving activity—or anytime you want to build your child’s gratitude— challenge your little one to think of something they’re thankful for from A to Z. For example, “A for apples,” “B for bedtime stories,” and so on. This fun word game builds alphabetic knowledge, vocabulary, and a grateful mindset all at once.
7. Reflect Through Art and Writing
Invite your child to draw or write about something that made them happy that week. Then, talk through their creation: “Tell me more about this part.” Linking art and storytelling helps children find words for feelings—and teaches them to slow down and savor good moments. It can also be a powerful way to help kids decompress and process feelings after a long week at school or daycare.
8. Read About Giving Back
Choose picture books that feature children making a difference in their communities or helping others, like I Am Somebody, written by Nyasha Williams and illustrated by Ashley Evans, or The Can Man, written by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Craig Orback. After reading, brainstorm one small act of kindness your family can do. Then, write and draw about it afterward with your child—capturing not only what you did, but how it felt.
9. Celebrate Words of Thanks
Make a family word wall or poster of gratitude. Help your child add color and creativity to make it beautiful Thanksgiving decor. Include new words like “appreciate,” “thankful,” “generous,” and “gracious.” Define words your child doesn’t know and practice using them in sentences or stories. The more children see and say these words, the more naturally they’ll use them—and live them.
10. Have a Gratitude Word Hunt
Pick a common word like “thank,” “happy,” or “kind” and see how many times you can find it in books, magazines, or signs during the week. Make every sighting a small celebration and a chance to practice reading the word in context. This simple family game turns print awareness into a playful reminder that thankfulness is all around us—if we look for it.
Gratitude and literacy both begin with awareness—with noticing words, people, and moments worth cherishing. By weaving the two together in your family life, you’re helping your child become both a stronger reader and a more mindful human being.
Because when we give children the words to express thankfulness, we give them a lifelong language of joy.
