how to teach kids to say thank you

When I was a little girl my parents taught me to say thank you to others. Expressing gratitude in a way that makes others feel special and acknowledged was something I learned. There is a way to express gratitude in a meaningful way without sounding generic.
When I had my own class we did lots of role playing. This is one activity we did with puppets and with one another. Kids love the repetition and it was something we all coach each other through.

The Steps in How to Say, "Thank You":
The NET-1 technique
1. Name: Say the person's name
2. Eye: Look the person in the eye
3. Thank you: Tell the person, "Thank you"
4. 1 Thing: Say at least one thing you liked about what they did

What are some ways you teach thankfulness and gratitude?

how to help preschoolers communicate their feelings

Part of resolving conflicts with children is helping them communicate effectively. Someone can have great intentions or ideas but if they don't know how to get it across to others it will never be understood by others. Children learn by watching others, repeating and mimicking behaviors. Which is why what I say and do 'anywhere' is an opportunity to teach good or bad social skills and behaviors.
I have a simple technique that is easy to remember for helping preschoolers communicate their feelings while getting them across to others effectively.

Techniques For Helping Preschoolers Communicate Their Feelings:

When a situation has gotten heated it is best to wait until everyone calms down. Kids are naturally quick to forgive and play together so teaching effective communication tips before a situation arises is best. This is the phrase we teach our little ones.

"When you_______________,
 I feel/felt,______________,and what I need from you instead is_______________________."

We coach both preschoolers through the process and we start to see children get it on their own. I am also sure to model this myself as well as with puppets or in story telling. It's a wonderful feeling to see children defuse a situation with this technique!

preschool curriculum planning and social intelligence

Personal awareness, social intelligence and self regulation (managing emotions & wants) are skills that can be taught within the preschool curriculum. Young children will only understand so much through simply getting in trouble for their actions. Some children have learned that the only way to get attention is to be in trouble in the first place.
We have found that through fun age appropriate activities young children can and do learn necessary life skills such as these to learn social intelligence.
In developing preschool curriculum we broke the skills down into three main areas for planning.

Practical Life Skills for Preschoolers:
1. Care of the person (self and others):Dressing, grooming, cooking, etc. and personal awareness involving the recognition of facial expressions, communication feelings effectively and understanding emotions.
What this covers: Helping young children understand and regulate their emotions, having self awareness gain confidence in effective communication and taking initiative.

2. Care of the environment (immediate/community and beyond):Learning how to clean, wash clothes, sweep, as well as visiting a convalescent home or learning how to behave in environments outside of the home.
What this covers: Social awareness, confidence in emerging skills, good relationship techniques, empathy and understanding others, positive relationships and teamwork.

3. Grace and courtesy: walking carefully, offering food or drinks, etc. saying please, thank you or making an apology.
What this covers: Decision making, values, positive relationships, self discipline and regulation, positive relationships and respect.

Montessori offers these three categories in a learning series. I used and adapted them to aid me in effectively incorporating these skills into the children's environment and curriculum. These practical life skills are a wonderful foundation for incorporating a new kind of smart for young children.