Growing with Gratitude

An essential toolkit to help teachers and parents foster wellbeing in kids and teens

In this book, you’ll find fun, practical activities and strategies to develop an attitude of gratitude: the positive mindset that kids and teens need to successfully weather ups and downs, successes and setbacks.

Growing with Gratitude outlines simple steps that you can start to action immediately, whether in the classroom, the whole school or at home. Drawing on over two decades of experience and research on how practicing gratitude leads to a happier, healthier life, author Ash Manuel shares how mindfulness and positive habits can benefit kids and teens of all ages.

• Learn how to make time for wellbeing in an already busy day
• Understand the psychology behind positive habits
• Discover and share the five habits of happiness
• Engage kids with games, activities, and reflections
• Get tips to manage your own wellbeing

It’s time to take action and teach the next generation the skills they need to navigate whatever life throws at them. This book is not just for times of crisis: it’s for growing a culture of gratitude that will give kids and teens the balance and stability they need every day.

About the Author ix

Foreword xi

Introduction xv

How to use this book xxi

1 Why Growing with Gratitude? 1

2 Embed commitment 11

3 Allocate wellbeing time and routines 25

4 Address the 5 Habits of Happiness 47

5 Make it fun 75

6 Encourage students to lead 105

7 Manage your own wellbeing 119

The future is now 143

Gratitude 151

Connect with me 157

Sources and resources 159

Helpful resources 169

Index 171

ASH MANUEL has over 20 years’ experience working in education environments and advocating for a culture of positivity and kindness. He is the founder of the Growing with Gratitude program which helps schools and organisations develop better cultures and atmospheres that support mental health and wellbeing.

A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO BUILDING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE AND RESILIENCE IN TEENS AND KIDS

Uncertainty and unrest around the world has affected mental wellbeing like never before — especially in our young people. But there is a solution, and there’s no time to waste. In this book, you’ll find fun, practical activities and strategies to develop the positive mindset that kids and teens need to successfully weather ups and downs, gains and setbacks.

Growing with Gratitude outlines simple steps that you can action immediately, whether in the classroom, the whole school or at home. Drawing on over two decades of experience and research, author Ash Manuel shares how mindfulness and positive habits can benefit kids and teens of all ages, leading to a happier and healthier life.

Inside you’ll discover:

• the psychology behind building positive habits
• frameworks to embed a culture of gratitude
• tools to build lasting positive mental wellbeing
• tips to grow and bolster long-term happiness
• activities to assist in achieving goals in school, at home and in life.

It’s time to take action and teach the next generation the skills they need to navigate whatever life throws at them. Growing with Gratitude is not just for times of crisis: it’s for growing a culture of gratitude that will give young people the balance and stability they need every day.