Celebree School Launches Generation Gratitude Project, Challenging Families to Turn "Thank You" Into Action

• Free 30-Day Family Gratitude Challenge makes thankfulness a daily habit
• Celebree students pen 10,000 thank-you letters for service members and first responder
• Early education leader to parents: gratitude is practiced, not just said

BALTIMORE, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "Thank you" is one of the first phrases children learn but putting it into practice is trickier. That's the idea behind the Generation Gratitude Project, a new national campaign from Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education offering infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs.

Launching today and running through Nov. 30, the campaign invites families nationwide, whether their child attends Celebree, to take part in a free 30-Day Family Gratitude Challenge. Each week brings simple, kid-sized ways to say thank you through action, from writing a note to a grandparent to painting kindness rocks for neighbors to find. As families head into the busiest stretch of the year, Celebree is encouraging parents to slow down and show children that gratitude is something we practice, not just something we say.

Why Gratitude Matters in the Early Years

The first five years are when children build the social-emotional foundation they carry into kindergarten and beyond. Gratitude is part of that foundation. When young children practice noticing what others do for them, they strengthen empathy, perspective-taking, and emotional awareness, the same skills that help them make friends, manage big feelings, and become kind classmates.

Like reading or counting, gratitude grows through repetition. A single "what are you thankful for?" at the holiday table rarely sticks. Small, hands-on moments repeated over days and weeks turn appreciation into habit.

"Young children learn by doing, and they learn gratitude the same way," said Kristen Miller, Vice President of Education at Celebree School. "When a three-year-old draws a picture for the mail carrier or helps pick out a toy to donate, they begin to understand that their actions can make someone else feel good. Those early experiences shape how children see themselves and the people around them, and that's the kind of growth we nurture in our classrooms every day."

The 30-Day Family Gratitude Challenge (Nov. 1-30) – FREE FOR DOWNLOAD 

The challenge is designed for busy families as each activity takes just a few minutes, costs little or nothing, and works for children of every age, from toddlers to big kids. Families can follow along with activities like:

• Appreciating People: Thank a teacher or write a note to a family member and tell someone why they are special.
• Appreciating Community: Thank a first responder, donate an item, or pick up litter in your neighborhood.
• Practicing Kindness: Help a neighbor, share a toy, or paint kindness rocks as a family to hide around the neighborhood for others to find.
• Giving Back: Donate items and support a local nonprofit.

Additional activities free for download HERE include "Little Leaves of Gratitude Crown" and "Fathers of Thanks Turkey" – both helping children learn to express gratitude while connecting through nature through sensory play and building emotional awareness in a festive way.

"The holidays can get so busy that the true meaning of the celebrations gets lost," said Richard Huffman, Founder and CEO of Celebree School. "For more than 30 years, our promise has been to Grow People Big and Small™. The Generation Gratitude Project brings that promise home. We hope families everywhere will join us in practicing gratitude, because the habits children build together with their parents now can last a lifetime."

Gratitude Grows in the Classroom

Inside Celebree classrooms, the project comes to life on Gratitude Trees. Throughout November, students add a paper "leaf" naming the person they are most grateful for and why. Week by week, bare branches fill with color, giving children and families a daily, visible reminder of how much there is to be thankful for. Parents are invited to stop by during drop-off and pick-up to see their child's leaf and the tree grow.

10,000 Letters of Thanks for Operation Gratitude

The Gratitude Generation Project also extends children's thank-yous far beyond the classroom. In honor of Veteran's Day, Celebree School students are writing and decorating 10,000 letters of gratitude for Operation Gratitude, the national nonprofit that sends care packages to deployed troops, veterans, first responders, and their families.

Families who want to see how gratitude, kindness and community are woven into everyday learning at Celebree can find their nearest school and schedule a tour at celebree.com.

About Celebree School

Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education, offering infant and toddler care, preschool, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School's founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Celebree School