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\u201cMy mommy and daddy,\u201d \u201cchicken dino nuggets\u201d and \u201cmy kitty cat\u201d are some of the things today\u2019s youngest children are most thankful for,\u00a0according to new research<\/a>.<\/p>\n A survey of 2,000 parents of kids ages 0-6 asked parents to ask their child what he or she is most grateful for and record their unfiltered responses.<\/p>\n On the heartwarming side, many children said they were most thankful for their siblings and family, with one child adding \u201cSpider-Man\u201d to the list behind their parents.<\/p>\n On the quirkier side, some children highlighted more specific things such as \u201cfolding laundry,\u201d \u201cpotato chips and M&Ms,\u201d \u201cwrestling\u201d and even \u201cCheetos.\u201d<\/p>\n One child came up with an exhaustive list, ranging from parents, extended family and a tablet, to their \u201cdead fish\u201d as well as \u201ceverything in the entire world, except mosquitos.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioned by\u00a0Kiddie Academy<\/a>\u00a0and conducted by Talker Research, the survey explored how parents are working to instill gratitude and thankfulness in their children during the holiday season and beyond.<\/p>\n According to the results, almost all parents polled (95%) believe that it\u2019s important their child is thankful for what they have.<\/p>\n And parents are ingraining this early. Those polled believe that children should start to learn to say \u201cthank you\u201d with an understanding of what it means at an average age of 2, yet a little more than a third (34%) started teaching their child by their first birthday.<\/p>\n Almost four in five (79%) have even found it to be easy to instill a sense of gratitude in their child and another 60% believe it\u2019s even easier to do so during the holiday season.<\/p>\n Parents highlighted that many of their children have created cards or homemade gifts (53%), donated their toys or belongings to someone in need (50%) or have even helped a neighbor or family member with tasks such as carrying groceries or providing companionship (47%).<\/p>\n With this in mind, 92% of parents are proud of their child for the level of awareness they demonstrate and how they treat others around them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is encouraging that almost every single parent polled (95%) acknowledges that that everyone, including themselves, need to be reminded to be thankful now and then,\u201d said Ocie Watson-Thompson, Ph. D., Life Essentials Curriculum Advisory Council member for Kiddie Academy. \u201cThe holiday season is a perfect time for the family to become actively engaged in supporting the community through service to others, which is invaluable in fostering the development of gratitude and gratefulness.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, most parents prioritize experiences, such as learning or traveling (73%) over physical things like games or toys.<\/p>\n This is a shift from when they were growing up, as 38% said their parents focused more on physical items than experiences.<\/p>\n In order to model gratitude, parents \u201cpay it forward\u201d (62%), return the favor whenever possible (60%) or even send someone a thank you text (58%) or make a phone call (49%) when needed.<\/p>\n A little more than two in five of those polled (42%) even believe that the internet has made it easier for them to teach their child to be altruistic.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s parent realizes that we must be intentional in fostering emotional and social development of young children. We\u2019re seeing a new generation of parents taking the reins, and they\u2019re changing the game,\u201d said Watson-Thompson. \u201cInstilling a sense of gratitude or thankfulness (42%) ranked above values like patience (36%) and courage (29%), underscoring that altruism is important every single day of the year, even beyond the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n WHAT ARE TODAY\u2019S KIDS MOST THANKFUL FOR?<\/strong><\/p>\n Research methodology:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of kids ages 0-6 who have access to the internet;<\/strong>\u00a0the survey was commissioned by Kiddie Academy and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between\u00a0Oct. 22 and Oct. 28, 2025.\u00a0<\/strong>A link to the questionnaire can be found\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR\u2019s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research\u00a0Process and Methodology page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nParents Instill Gratitude During Holidays & Beyond<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Parents Model Gratitude by Paying It Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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