Grateful Hearts Sharing Circle
Fall brings natural opportunities to discuss gratitude, with harvest celebrations emphasizing thankfulness across many cultures. When children practise identifying and expressing gratitude, they develop emotional intelligence and positive outlook. The sharing circle format builds community while teaching essential listening skills.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Autumn Festival
- Learning area: Socio-Emotional Learning
- Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception
Objectives
- Develop gratitude awareness and expression
- Practise listening respectfully to peers
- Build classroom community through sharing
Materials
- Talking object (leaf, pinecone, or small pumpkin)
- Comfortable circle seating arrangement
- Optional: gratitude journal or chart
Instructions
Create a comfortable circle seating arrangement. Introduce the talking object, explaining that whoever holds it has the floor to speak while others listen.
Begin with a brief discussion: "Fall is a time when many people think about things they are grateful for or thankful about. Being grateful means noticing the good things in our lives and feeling happy about them."
Model the sharing by going first: "I am grateful for our class because every day I get to learn and have fun with all of you." Pass the object to the child beside you.
As children share, listen attentively and validate each response: "Thank you for sharing. That is a wonderful thing to be grateful for." Some children may struggle to identify something; offer gentle prompts: "You might be grateful for a person, a pet, a toy, food you like to eat, or something you like to do."
Accept all responses respectfully, whether profound ("I'm grateful for my family") or concrete ("I'm grateful for pizza"). Both demonstrate understanding of the concept.
After everyone has shared, reflect on the experience: "How did it feel to hear what your classmates are grateful for? Did anyone share something that made you think of something YOU'RE grateful for too?"
Consider making this a regular classroom practice, building a "gratitude wall" or keeping a class gratitude journal.
Educator tip
Be prepared for children to share difficult family situations ("I'm grateful my mum and dad stopped fighting"). Respond with warmth and validation without probing, and follow up privately if needed.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Observe children's ability to identify things they appreciate, listening skills during peer sharing, and comfort with group sharing experiences.