How you can teach your children gratitude - AOL

Thanksgiving is just a few days away, but it's important to remember that the holiday is about so much more than overflowing plates of food and the year's biggest shopping holiday. Of course, gratitude and thankfulness are two principles that should be observed all year long, not just on the last Thursday of November, and should be imparted to your children, as well.

In fact, the benefits of gratefulness that extend far beyond making the world a better place.

"People who live with gratitude are happier. They're more positive, and as some studies have shown, may actually be healthier," explains Dr. Karen Latimer to AOL Lifestyle. But instilling gratitude in your children is no easy task, but is instead a year-round effort for parents that all starts with leading by example.

Whether it's talking to your kids about the importance of supporting your community, assisting international organizations or volunteering at a local philanthropy, there are ways to get your family involved and teach your children about giving back. For Latimer and her five children, this involves spending time at their community's social service association helping box food for the needy.

"It's a great way to teach your kids about gratitude and giving back to their local community," Latimer concludes.