Dr. Emily AronoffSong about Gratitude for Kids Spotify Playlist Here
Most Americans are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving, and many Jewish educators are tasked with seeking a balance between providing a Jewish education and integrating current events and student interest into the materials.
Is Thanksgiving a Jewish holiday?
Technically and traditionally, no. However- the idea of giving thanks with intention in community is very much a part of Jewish living. Far more American Jews celebrate Thanksgiving than Sukkot or Shavuot, so it is up to us, the educators, to help our communities integrate their identities and celebrate Thanksgiving in a Jew-ish way. Thankfully- this task is not a difficult one.
Jewish text and tradition are rich with examples of teaching, highlighting, and articulating gratitude.
All of the songs I suggest below to sing with kids to teach about gratitude are perfectly appropriate to sing any day of the week! I love teaching about gratitude because it is probably the most powerful lesson that I can offer my program participants.
My daily gratitude practice grounds me and is central to my happiness.
I hope sharing these songs sparks joy and gratitude!
1) I Give Thanks- Sheldon Lowe
I like to introduce this adorable echo song directly- I show this clip of Sheldon and Fella sharing the song and sing along, then repeat it the following week without the video, just by accompanying myself on guitar.
2) Thank You! Modeh/Modah Ani– Miss Emily
I sing this song with my kids every morning we’re together. If we get stuck in a grumpy moment and need to shift our moods, sometimes we’ll pause our day to re-start it with this song.
Another way I love to use this song is to supply teachers with a coloring prompt so kids can decide their source of gratitude and illustrate, a strategy you can all see with the song Grateful below.
3) What Are You Thankful For Today? Elana Jagoda
This song is part of the morning playlist I put on for my kids while we get ready for the day. I like to put this song on while we eat breakfast, because someone inevitably winds up drumming with a spoon and that sparks my joy.
4) Thank You, Universe – Nefesh Mountain
This setting of Shehechiyanu is sweet and soulful. In my classes, I’ve typically already introduced my Thank You God, For This Day (Shehehechiyanu) song, so I’ll play the recording and ask the kids to listen for Hebrew words they know.
5) Grateful!- Miss Emily
Grateful by Miss Emily Chord Sheet Here
I share this song at almost every singalong I facilitate- because it is always appropriate! I will get really quiet, lean in towards the kids and say “You want to know something that is true about me?” and they lean in- then I sing the first verse.
Then, I explain to the singers that they will help me ‘write’ the song
If I’m feeling mad or sad, (I’ll often pause the song to interject- does that happen to you sometimes? It happens to me!)
I know there’s a cure.
Make a list of “thank yous.”
I’ll feel better for sure.
G-d made all creation,
Said this is very good.
So, let’s share appreciation,
Like we know we should.
PRE-CHORUS I’ll say thank you for _.
Say thank you for ___.
I’ll say thank you for _.
Say thank you for ___.CHORUS
I’m so full of thank yous, I feel great!
I feel great, I feel grateful!
I’m so full of thank yous, I feel great!
I feel great, I feel grateful!Celebrate “thanks-giving” every day,
Every moment to spare.
You’ll find reasons to share a smile,
When thank yous we share.
More than using manners,
Bigger than being polite,
Living a truly grateful way
Will help you sleep at night.
6) Thanks A Lot- Raffi
For this elder millennial, this tune is a classic (#belugagrads).
7) If You’re Thankful and You Know It- The Kiboomers
This one is admittedly cheesy- and it is super engaging and familiar. Personally- I would NOT use this recording or video with the kids- but I apply the concept and play it on guitar. I use songs like this in moments of transition or as a tool for ‘classroom’ management. While I aim to offer a musical diet that is diverse and rich- I recognize the power of using what kids already know and love.
8) 100 Blessings- Miss Emily
100 Blessings Chord Sheet Here
Instead of counting sheep, I promote the counting of blessings! I was inspired by Rab Meir in the Talmud during a very chaotic and challenging time in my life to literally practice saying thank you for at least 100 things each day. I don’t keep count anymore- but now that it is a habit, it is a great source of strength and stability for me.
Pro tip: if you sing this song with Pre-K or Kindergarten kids, they will likely delight in demonstrating their ability to count to 100 for you.
Chorus:
100 blessings Every Day
In 24 hours, find a hundred ways to say
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam
We’ll say blessings upon waking, eyes open, getting dressed
Going to the bathroom, washing, giving me my breath\
We’ll say blessings saying thank you for giving us everything we need
Say 100 blessings everyday you’ll be glad that you agreed
Chorus
We’ll say blessings when we do Mitzvot God commands
About wisdom that God grants us to deal with life’s demands
We’ll say blessings learning Torah, the lessons make us strong
Say thanks to God for giving us the words that make this songChorus
When we’ve said 99 blessings, is has been a blessed day
Text: Reb Meir, Talmud Brachot 17a
I’ll say the Sh’ma, its time for bed, a blessing for sweet dreams we’ll say
We’ll make more blessings tomorrow, open my eyes and start again
And when you make a blessing I like then I’ll say “Amen!”
9) Toe-dah! Rabbah by Eliana Light
This adorable movement song is a terrific way to practice gross motor movement while acquiring new language!
10) Thank You, God- Doug Cotler
I use this song liberally across sessions for many topics and ages- this one is always relevant.
Our tradition has literally thousands of songs that are come variation on a recitation of gratitude.
This list of 10 songs to teach gratitude in early childhood is just the beginning! Explore what is available and make choices that spark joy. My first music of the day typically comes from this Modeh Ani playlist I compiled. If we have a rushed morning or a grumpy kid (which happens many days)- I blast this Modeh Ani playlist in the minivan and it always succeeds in shifting the mood.
