Place mats get plenty of use either at school or home, so children will be reminded of what they're thankful for at each meal. Give children large pieces of paper. Ask them to draw pictures of the people and things that they feel thankful for on their papers. Help children write out captions under the pictures, such as "Mommy" or "my puppy." Give children a copy of a poem about thankfulness to glue in the center of their mats. Laminate the mats.
Ask children to think about all the people they appreciate in their lives. Have them raise their hands and name some of these people, such as their parents, doctors or the farmers who grow their food. Ask each child to pick one or two people to make a card for. Give children construction paper and art supplies and have them draw pictures that show why they're thankful for that person. Since most preschoolers can't yet write, have them dictate a message of thanks for the card recipient. Write their messages onto the cards, then have children give them to the recipients.
Teach children about the people who have paved the way for them to have good lives. Create a wall of gratitude by hanging pictures of people who have made the world better. For instance, hang drawings of Christopher Columbus and George Washington and explain that these men helped create the United States. You can also hang pictures of civil rights leaders, such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and some suffragettes who fought for equal rights for women. Ask children to guess what their lives would be like if these people hadn't come before them.
Talking about others who are in need helps children realize how much they have. Spend a week talking about different charities. Each day, choose a charity to study. Explain what the organization does and why it's necessary. Use broad explanations, since giving children in-depth reports about world suffering may only confuse and upset them. You can simply talk about each charity, and children may want to help. Organize a school fundraiser or ask families to donate food or supplies. At the end of the week, ask children what they feel grateful for in their own lives.