Gratitude

Dear L&L Family,

As we wrap up another beautiful week together, we first want to extend the biggest, warmest, most heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you for helping make Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week so incredibly special. From the thoughtful notes and drawings, to flowers, treats, favorite drinks, brunch contributions, and countless kind words, our staff felt truly celebrated, appreciated, and loved all week long!

There is something so meaningful about watching children participate in acts of gratitude. Seeing little hands proudly deliver flowers, hearing children excitedly say “thank you,” or watching them beam with pride while giving a handmade drawing reminds us that appreciation is something children learn best through experience and modeling. Your generosity and thoughtfulness helped create such a joyful atmosphere throughout our schools, and we cannot thank you enough for partnering with us in making our teachers feel so valued.

Our teachers pour their patience, creativity, warmth, flexibility, and care into these classrooms every day, and this week served as such a beautiful reminder of the incredible community we have built together. Thank you for helping us celebrate the people who help make L&L feel like a second home for so many children and families.

After this wonderful week centered so deeply around appreciation, it felt only natural to continue the conversation with the topic of gratitude.

Gratitude is so much more than simply saying “thank you.” In early childhood, gratitude helps children begin to recognize the kindness and care of others, the positive moments in their everyday lives, the importance of connection and community, empathy, perspective-taking, and emotional awareness. Children who regularly practice gratitude often develop stronger social relationships, increased emotional resilience, and a greater sense of optimism and belonging. And like so many skills in early childhood, gratitude is something that grows through modeling, repetition, and meaningful everyday moments.

At L&L, gratitude is woven naturally into our days in age-appropriate ways across all classrooms from infants through Pre-K.

You may notice teachers:

• Modeling kind and appreciative language
• Encouraging children to notice acts of kindness from friends
• Helping children care for classroom materials and shared spaces
• Creating opportunities for children to help one another
• Supporting children in expressing appreciation through words, drawings, gestures, and acts of kindness

For our youngest friends, this may look like learning gentle hands, helping clean up toys, or practicing simple signs like “thank you.” For older children, it often grows into deeper conversations about feelings, friendships, empathy, and community. Most importantly, we want children to understand that gratitude is not about perfection or obligation, but rather about learning to notice and appreciate the people and moments that make life meaningful.

Supporting gratitude at home can be simple, playful, and woven into everyday routines as well:

·        Talk about “favorite parts” of the day.
At dinner or bedtime, ask: “What made you smile today?”

·        Model appreciation out loud.
Children learn by hearing us say things like, “I’m so thankful we got to spend time together.”

·        Encourage thoughtful gestures.
Drawings, hugs, helping with chores, or kind words are all meaningful ways children can express appreciation.

·        Notice everyday kindness.
Point out moments like someone holding the door, sharing, or helping a friend.

·        Create simple rituals.
A gratitude jar, bedtime reflections, or family thank-you notes can help make appreciation part of your routine.

As always, here are some wonderful books that celebrate gratitude & kindness:

For Toddlers

• Grateful by Elaine Vickers
• Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
• Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
• All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

For Preschoolers (3–4 years)

• The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
• We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
• Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

As we move further into May, we are reminded once again that one of the greatest gifts we can give children is not just academics or skills, but the foundation of empathy, connection, and appreciation for the world around them. Gratitude helps children slow down, notice goodness, and recognize that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership, your trust, and the many ways you contribute to the warmth of our community. We are endlessly grateful for all of you and for the privilege of sharing these early years together.