Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Carol McCloud, A GUIDE TO DAILY HAPPINESS FOR KIDS
How Full is Your Bucket?
Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer, FOR KIDS
I was first introduced to these “Bucket Filling” books at
the beginning of our school year. An intermediate classroom teacher was reading
one of these books to her students. I walked in for a quick walk through and
noticed how intrigued each of the students were with this simple text.
Observing student learning is one of my favorite aspects of my role as
instructional leader and I was in awe of their responses and insights with the
content of this books message.
This heartwarming book encourages students to have positive
interactions with those around them and to express acts of kindness in words
and deeds. More importantly it explains to them in simple prose why this thoughtfulness
benefits others, but also themselves. “Bucket filling” and “dipping” are effective
metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on those we
interact with.
The author expresses the purpose of her writing these books
was “to teach young children how to be bucket fillers. As you read this book
with children, use it as an opportunity to model bucket filling by filling
their buckets. Tell them why they are special to you. Help them think about
what they might say or do to fill someone else’s bucket.”
Word spread among teachers on the power of this book’s
message and the majority of teachers read the book to their students and engage
in this important conversation of being compassionate to others in words and
deeds. I have been lucky enough to also read these books to students and they
never cease to amaze me with their insights. I end our time together with the
author’s words: “And, at the end of each day, ask yourself, “Did I fill a
bucket today?” That is a question each of us can ask ourselves be we young or
old.”
