Life Skills That Thanksgiving Teaches Kids

Thanksgiving lends itself to many important life lessons. Don’t miss the opportunity to teach some important skills to the kiddos during this holiday season.

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Thanksgiving is a great time to purposefully teach our children some lifelong skills.

I mean, obviously, kids are learning all the time from whatever they do. And most of the skills listed here, they will learn whether you are purposeful about it or not. That’s what’s so great about it all.

If you are wanting to get a little encouragement for yourself, then read the skills that kids will naturally pick up in the next few weeks.

Thanksgiving can teach kids gratitude.

Gratitude is a life skill in the Self-Management category.

The theme of our society is convenience. There’s always plenty to do, places to go, and a wide selection of foods at our fingertips.

It’s almost impossible to imagine a harder time. A time when the only food available was that which we grew.

Our grandparents and grandparents may remember a time like this. On the flip side, our children will probably never experience this lifestyle.

For their whole lives, we have just stopped by the grocery store (or even ordered online) whatever food we wanted.

Thanksgiving time is a great opportunity to teach gratitude because there’s lots of history entwined with this holiday.

• Find some great Thanksgiving books and read about our nation’s past to teach gratitude. These books are full of great lessons.
• Listen to the elders. Grandparents can tell the best Thanksgiving stories of past. The generation that survived the Great Depression will not be around forever. If you have someone who can share stories about this time with your kids, cherish these memories.
• Foster gratitude with some Thanksgiving crafts. Kids may enjoy some hands on activities to show their gratitude.

Thanksgiving can teach compassion and empathy.

Compassion and empathy are life skills in the Self-Management category.

Kids don’t often naturally think of others. In fact, most kids will be self-centered when left to their own devices.

However, when they see you showing compassion to others, they are more likely to take on this character for themselves.

Thanksgiving time can offer some great opportunities to serve others.

Many churches, organizations, or communities will have special service programs during the holidays. If not, it can be a great learning experience to plan something to do as a family.

Either way, teaching compassion and empathy can be easily incorporated during the Thanksgiving season.

Thanksgiving can teach conversation skills

Conversation skills are in the Relationships & Community category of life skills.

Communication skills can be taught and practiced at the Thanksgiving table.

Some families serve the kids first, set them at the “kids table” in another room, and let them fend for themselves. Depending on the gathering… this may be the way to go. However, this isn’t what I’m talking about especially.

I’m talking about the times where everyone sits together for dinner. There are some great communication life skills that can be taught at the Thanksgiving table.

Rather… they should be taught first and then practiced at the table.

• Basic table manners
• Knowing when to speak
• Answering questions
• Keeping conversation
• Maintaining eye contact
• Food passing traditions
• Using a napkin properly
• Pacing yourself
• Thankful terms
• Respect of elders
• Staying at the table

Communication skills are some of the best life skills that kids can learn. There’s no better time to practice these skills- than at the Thanksgiving table with family.

Thanksgiving is a great time to teach family values.

Togetherness, celebrating holidays, giving thanks… these are examples of core family values that might be taught during this time.

First of all, knowing family values builds strong principles. Being able to stand strong in principles is a life skill that can be utilized in many areas of a person’s life.

Secondly, family values draw families together in closeness. These values that you teach (during holidays for example), are what stays with kids for the rest of their lives.

Cooking skills, table setting skills, and hosting skills can be taught at Thanksgiving.

Genuine bonding moments can happen in the kitchen. You can pass on the life skills needed for cooking, setting the table, and hosting a Thanksgiving event.

Even if it’s just a small gathering, kids can learn some great skills while mom (or dad) is preparing the Thanksgiving meal. I recommend allowing the kids to get involved. Even if it’s messy and feels not worth it, it is worth it.

Teach those skills that can be passed down from generation to generation.

Thanksgiving can teach kids how to show grace.

Showing grace to people is a life skill with many benefits.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving can be a but rough on some people. This is is where it get’s a little difficult.

Let’s be honest. For some, Thanksgiving holidays are just difficult times. This could stem from experiencing a loss of a loved one or dealing with a childhood trauma or weird inter familial dynamics.

Here’s the facts: we want our children to love special holidays. Also, we don’t want any bad memories to spill over into their little lives with a lasting impact. So, how do we combat this?

Learning to show grace to others. It’s certainly a life skill.

It’s the life skill of being able to show others grace in times of need. The skill isn’t simple. In fact, it’s very hard to show others grace (especially when they don’t deserve it.) Here are some tips:

• Teach acceptance of others.
• Show kids what being respectful looks like.
• Allow others to be themselves… don’t judge or try to change people.
• Teach them how to protect their hearts/minds without compromising themselves.
• Model for them how to speak positively into a situation.
• Be careful how you speak about people behind closed doors.

We make it a family practice to “Err on the side of grace” when it comes to people. This is a life skill that will prevent regrets, draw people to them, and allow them to operate in love.