An engaging puppet play commences this lesson, showing a puppet named, Squeak, being super thankful for apple pie and cold milk. Squeak learns from his teacher that it’s good to be thankful for good things. But his other puppet friend, Mimi, thinks Squeak is being strange. For her, the good things to be thankful for are friends, family, and health. Well, she is right! But Squeak is also right. They can be thankful for apple pie and cold milk, too! They can be thankful for anything!
The pre-kindergartners learn how to be thankful! They begin the lesson by listening to the Positive Action song, "I’m Thankful to You." Then, they discuss what being thankful is about, how it makes themselves and others feel, and what are the good things they are thankful for in life.
"There are many benefits to being thankful, including improved well-being, optimism, and better physical health."
The teacher explains that they can be thankful for anything—from big things to simple things, like seeing flowers. To practice this positive action, the students make their own cards, a creative activity that allows them to be thankful for the people in their lives. After that, the class does more activities. They realize that being thankful makes them feel good about themselves!
Yay! Being thankful is the last feeling that the class needs to learn how to manage. They are now worthy to receive their final badge to add to their Manager’s Cap—the badge of ‘feelings!’ The young students feel so good about themselves! They end the lesson by celebrating and sharing what else they are thankful for in life.
There are many benefits to being thankful, including improved well-being, optimism, and better physical health. Research also shows that expressing gratitude results in increased levels of perceived social support and decreased levels of stress and depression.
Better emotional health develops as contentment shifts the focus to positive thoughts and emotions. With this lesson, pre-kindergartners learn to cultivate gratitude and thankfulness which can build their self-concept, resilience, and path to success.
Pasela is a digital product presented by Positive Action.
Find out more