Speaking Our Thanks Out Loud

In her powerful book Illuminating Care, Carol Garboden Murray suggests one way to highlight “the reciprocal nature of care is to look for ways to amplify thanks throughout the workday of teaching and caring.” She writes: “As a practice of gratitude, I have tried to say Thank you more often, …being more intentional about using the person’s name and saying thank you that is specific with a descriptive phrase. I believe that modeling thanks throughout the day has a transformative power to shape cultures where people really care for one another. “Thank you, Allison, for getting the paint brushes I left in the sink cleaned.” “Thank you, Frances, for the way you wrote the parent newsletter. When you included the children’s names in the narrative it really pulled me in and I know the parents will feel the same.” “I also try to speak my thanks for non-humans aloud too. When I do this, …I like to think it puts me in a child’s mind to see the whole world as alive and caring for me, and it also models my care for the awe-inspiring world, the plants, animals, atmosphere. "Thank you, giant tree, for this cool shade!” “Ah, the warmth feels so good on my shoulders today. Thank you, sun!” “Thank you worm, for letting us hold you and observe you today. Thank you for making soil.” “Bringing the people and things I am thankful for out of my mind and into the spoken word has changed the atmosphere around me—it propels me up the continuum of emotions towards feelings of joy and belonging.” From all of us at Exchange Press, thank YOU for being part of our community – for exchanging ideas, inspiration and information on caring for and with all children in our one precious world.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

© 2005 Child Care Information Exchange - All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Return to Site