Gratitude, known as expressing thanks, encompasses some powerful tools which can allow a better experience of the human condition. A look into the study of gratitude will show that among wisdom, love, and self-control, gratitude is seen as a source of strength and one that should be cultivated and expanded throughout life. Practicing gratitude as a tool can lead to many benefits, including less stress, more wellbeing, greater health, protection from negative emotions, support in experiencing more positive emotions, and is linked to mental health and life satisfaction. These benefits have been studied in many adult populations including healthcare workers, parents, and college students.

These definitions as well as the substantial research validating gratitude as an effective tool, suggests there is a significant benefit to establishing a sense of gratitude and utilizing it as a tool to improve one’s life experience. Life satisfaction was measured prior to any intervention, after journaling, and after conversation. The 18 third graders were split into two groups to counterbalance and prevent order effects. These findings indicate that practicing gratitude does increase life satisfaction in third graders, indicating this is a valuable practice for children. Future research is needed to further explore the benefit of gratitude practices in children, particularly focusing on more longitudinal studies and expanded populations to increase generalizability.