The holidays are here! Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over, and as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa draw near, many of us are focused on traditions – eating our favorite holiday meals, celebrating with family, and shopping for special gifts. As we enjoy these holiday traditions, it’s also a great time to give thanks and model an “attitude of gratitude” for the children in our midst.

Children are not born grateful. According to author Mary Jane Ryan, “Recognizing that someone has gone out of their way for you is not a natural behavior for children – it’s learned.” If you have spent much time around toddlers, you know they are self-centered by nature, which is a normal part of their cognitive and emotional growth. Studies have shown, however, that children as young as 15-18 months can beg

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