Because I once taught parenting classes in Montessori classrooms in New England, I know you strive to teach children to explore with their hands, hearts, and minds, to notice, reflect, and find joy in meaningful moments. Christmas offers the perfect opportunity to extend that philosophy beyond the classroom and into the realm of gratitude.
Why Gratitude Matters
Gratitude helps children recognize abundance, not in things, but in relationships, experiences, and acts of kindness. When children pause to reflect on what they’re thankful for, a warm home, a caring friend, a teacher’s encouragement, they begin to see life through a lens of appreciation rather than expectation.
This mindset builds emotional resilience, empathy, and self-awareness, qualities that Montessori educators strive to nurture daily. Gratitude teaches children that joy isn’t something we wait to receive; it’s something we practice.
Christmas as a Season of Reflection
Amid the excitement of lights, presents, and parties, children benefit from gentle, daily moments of reflection. A short gratitude practice before lunch, circle time, or at the end of the day helps them slow down and connect with the deeper meaning of the season, love, kindness, and community.
One simple practice you can try in the classroom:
Have each child share one thing that made them smile today, one thing that made them think, and one act of kindness they noticed. This not only builds verbal expression but also cultivates emotional vocabulary and awareness.
A Simple Tool to Guide the Journey
To help families and classrooms bring this practice to life, I created the Christmas Gratitude Journal for Kids, a 25-day guided journey of reflection, creativity, and kindness. What it is NOT is an empty journal with the same thing on every two pages like many other low-content journals. In this journal is a 2-page section each day which includes writing prompts, coloring activities, and small “kindness missions” that help children celebrate what truly matters during the holidays. You will also find four pages in the beginning with clear instructions, along with a parent/teacher guide at the end and a certificate of completion.
It’s designed for ages 7–12 and works beautifully in Montessori environments that value reflection, independence, and emotional intelligence.
You can find it now on Amazon by CLICKING HERE.
But I want to give away 5 copies FREE of charge and I will pay the shipping. Everyone who leaves a reply to this post that you want to be considered will go into a drawing for one of 5 copies of my new journal.
Let’s make this Christmas not just merry, but mindful. When we teach children to give thanks, we give them a skill that lasts a lifetime.
