Be Your Best Self: Practicing Gratitude and Appreciation

The importance of gratitude and manners will be taught with energy, encouraging discussion and thought amongst learners. I will introduce the concept of a gratitude journal and together we will teach our stuffies how to have a grateful heart and be appreciative towards others. Be sure to bring a special snack to eat during our baby doll and stuffy tea party where we will practice respect and manners. At the end of class, learners will be invited to accept a gratitude challenge that will help them put into practice what they have learned. 

Specific Class Activities 
•	Greeting 
•	Doll or stuffy introduction and sharing time
•       Gratitude Icebreaker
•	The importance of gratitude: teacher-led learning with lots of interaction
•	Gratitude Journalling (drawing) and read-a-loud : “An Awesome Book of Thanks” by Dallas Clayton
•       Manners Game
•       Tea-party to practice our manners
•	Gratitude Challenge
•	Good-byes

Many children love dolls and stuffies and when a child is engaged with something they love, learning is effortless and enjoyable. Not only has doll play been shown to activate brain regions that allow children to develop social processing skills, but they will be practicing the valuable interpersonal skills mentioned above while meeting new friends.