Speaking of Psychology How to raise grateful kids, with Andrea Hussong, PhD
Nov 26, 2025
Andrea Hussong, PhD, a developmental scientist and clinical psychologist, shares insights on nurturing gratitude in children. She highlights gratitude's importance for empathy and relationships, breaking it down into developmental stages. Practical tips for parents include modeling and engaging in meaningful conversations. Hussong emphasizes the value of authentic family rituals over forced routines. She also addresses how to handle ungrateful behavior and the distinction between social niceties and genuine gratitude.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Four Beats Of A Gratitude Moment
- Gratitude moments have four beats: notice, make sense (thoughts/feelings), and act to show thanks.
- Parents can shape each beat to cultivate gratitude rather than treating it as a fixed trait.
Gratitude Builds Social Health
- Gratitude in children links tightly to empathy and predicts prosocial behavior and social skills.
- Over time it supports well-being, fewer depressive symptoms, and stronger social connections.
Thank You Isn't Always Genuine
- Saying thank you and feeling thankful are different and emerge as perspective-taking grows.
- Younger kids focus on concrete items; by 8–12 they grasp deeper, relational reasons for gratitude.