Learning Objectives
• Develop an understanding of gratitude and its importance in fostering positive emotions.
• Cultivate the habit of recognizing and appreciating the good things in life.
Instructions
- Provide each Scout with a notebook or journal and coloured pencils/markers.
- Explain the concept of gratitude and its impact on mental well-being.
- Encourage children to write or draw three things they are grateful for each day in their journal.
- Remind them to be specific and detailed in their entries, focusing on both big and small things that bring them joy.
- Set aside time at the end of the week for children to share one thing they wrote or drew in their journal with the group.
- Provide each Scout with a notebook or journal and coloured pencils/markers.
- Explain the concept of gratitude and its impact on mental well-being.
- Encourage children to write or draw three things they are grateful for each day in their journal.
- Remind them to be specific and detailed in their entries, focusing on both big and small things that bring them joy.
- Set aside time at the end of the week for children to share one thing they wrote or drew in their journal with the group.
- Encourage discussion and reflection on the positive experiences shared.
- After a week, writing each day can became boring for them, encourage them to keep writing at least once a week and make time for reflection on this on your weekly meetings.
Debrief
- Gather everyone together after a week of journaling.
- Begin by asking everyone to share one thing they wrote or drew in their gratitude journal.
- Guide the conversation towards the concept of gratitude by asking questions such as:
• How did it feel to focus on gratitude each day?
• Did you notice any changes in your mood or outlook throughout the week?
• Can you think of a time when expressing gratitude made you feel happier or more content?
- Use the opportunity to reinforce the importance of gratitude in daily life and encourage children to continue practicing gratitude beyond the challenge.
- Encourage participant to share with their families and friends what they are grateful for.
Materials
- Notebooks/journals
- Coloured pencils/ markers
