What do you say? This is a parental reminder to our children to say ‘thank you’ and express gratitude. That often produces a rote response which does not sound heartfelt.
If you have been following Capri + 3 for a while, you know we enjoy doing hand and footprint crafts. This week, Greg made two FREE PRINTABLES for you to use with your children or students which read, “Gratitude, Put Your Best Foot Forward.” One is horizontal for smaller feet and the other is vertical for bigger feet. Our four 4 year-old children could barely fit their feet in the horizontal page, so I suggest you use the vertical if your children are over the age of four or have longer feet.
Gratitude: Put Your Best Foot Forward Footprint Craft:
You Will Need:
- Washable Paint
- Vertical FREE Footprint Printable or Horizontal Free Footprint Printable
- Paint Brush
- Wipes, wet paper towels or wash rag to clean feet after footprints
After you have printed the Gratitude sheet, use the paint brush to paint your child’s foot. We printed their feet for them so that the footprints wouldn’t smear. If your child is able to stand on the paper without smearing the footprint, that would work too. Wash their feet. Allow to dry.
We also did a gratitude activity that went along with the footprint craft. We went to a local hiking trail, and they took turns saying one thing they were thankful for with each step. Here is a video of Capri ‘putting her best foot forward’ to talk about gratitude.
How have you conveyed the concept of gratitude to your children or students? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Check out the Gratitude Themed Activities from the #PlayfulPreschool Team:
The Giving Tree- An Attitude of Gratitude in Preschool from The Preschool Toolbox
Literacy Activities: Giving and Being Thankful Ideas from Growing Book by Book
Teaching Kids Thank You in Different Languages from Still Playing School
Thankful Rocks: A Visual Reminder to Be Thankful from Mom Inspired Life
Gratitude Sensory Bin from Learning 2 Walk
Gratitude Sensory Jar from Tiny Tots Adventures
Non-Verbal Ways to Show Gratitude from Life Over C’s
What an adorable video!
Hi Devany.
Thank you. It was really fun to see what they were each thankful for (and the process of them thinking about it as they took each step).
: 0 ) Theresa
What a cute idea to take a step with each thing you're grateful for! Video is adorable too!!!
that is one adorable video!!!
I love hearing what they are thankful for because really thats what its about
Thank you maggiemaysgifts.
We had fun listening to each of them talk about what they were thankful for.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Terri Lynn.
It is fun to get a new perspective on gratitude by hearing about it from children. Since they just had a birthday, Capri was focused on being thankful for that.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is so adorable. Your kids look like they are having a blast.
I love this! Such a fun idea-I haven't talked to my oldest about what she's thankful for yet, but this will help.
Hi Theresa.
Yes, they did have a blast, both with the footprint craft and our 'gratitude walk.' I hope they got a better understanding of thankfulness.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Tarynn.
I hope this makes it fun for your eldest daughter.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a mindful way to think about what you are grateful for. It's a great activity that can be repeated throughout their lifetime.
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
Repeating it throughout their lifetime is a great idea! Thank you.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a great idea. Putting your best foot forward and remembering what we're thankful for.
Thank you Natasha.
: 0 ) Theresa
Lovely idea!
Thank you Amanda.
: 0 ) Theresa
Love this video! What a great idea to hear from children – a wonderful keepsake, too, as they grow!:)
Thank you Preschool Toolbox.
Yes, videos capture childhoods differently than pictures alone. It will be fun for them to see themselves when they are older.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a wonderful keepsake to remind us to be grateful. It’s so nice that you provide a free printable.
Thank you Shelah.
I think it is fun to display year-round. It is sweet to look back on how small their feet were as they grow so fast!