'Tis the season for teachable moments.

• Position: Gratitude

Today's consumer-driven culture never is more apparent than during the holiday season. It is estimated that the average American spends $854 on gifts for friends and loved ones. In a season meant to focus on gratefulness, love, and peace, many families wonder how to teach gratitude to their children, despite the selfishness displayed around them.

Psychologists Jeffrey J. Froh and Giacomo Bono, coauthors of Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character, offer the following insights:

* To instill a mindset of gratitude, parents should talk with their child about a gift he or she received. A parent can help children understand the kind intentions of gift-givers, the sacrifices made to purchase or make gifts, and the personal meaning of gifts they receive.

* Until a child makes a habit of expressing gratitude, remind him or her to say thank you. Teach children that there is more to expressing thanks than being polite. Help them to appreciate the unique characteristics of their benefactors and express what makes the gift so special.

* The holidays offer many opportunities to make others a priority. When you help a friend in need or give a certain gift to someone, explain to a child why that friend...