Project Gratitude~ Thankful Hearts Tradition

 I got this wonderful idea from a guest post on Let’s Lasso the Moon. They made lovely hearts from scrap fabric. I’m not that creative, so I simplified things a bit!
  I cut these simple hearts out of stiffened felt. Then I made a little box to keep them in. We keep the box in an accessible place, so even Kay, who is 4, can reach it anytime.

   We give a heart to show appreciation for someone, such as when they do something kind or thoughtful for us or just because we feel like it.

When Kay picks up her toys without my having to ask her (it does happen occasionally!) I show my gratitude by giving her a heart.

When she was helpful to her father who wasn’t feeling well, I gave her heart and said, “I’m thankful that you’re such a caring girl.”

Sometimes she’ll present me with a heart for making her favorite lunch or just reading her stories.

 I love when she will run to the box and bring me back a heart, handing it to me with a smile. And then there’s the times she gets mad at me and yells, “I’m not giving you any more hearts!”

  I’m hoping it makes her stop to think of the little things people do every day for each other, just out of love. And it helps me stop to remember those things too.

Thanks so much for this great idea Emma!

Learn more about Emma from P is for Preschooler:

My name is Emma and I live in Massachusetts. I stay at home with my 4-year-old daughter, Kay, who is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Back in a past life, when I had free time, I liked to read and do genealogy. That’s mostly on hold right now. But Kay will be starting Kindergarten next fall and I’ll have more time than I know what to do with. Or so the theory goes…

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