Make Bucket Filling and Other-Centeredness a Daily Habit
A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids.
In a new twist on the Golden Rule,Have You Filled a Bucket Today?explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves. Is our bucket real? Yes! It represents our mental and emotional health. When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad. It's important to know that we can fill our own bucket and so can others. We can also dip into it.
What are bucket fillers?
"Bucket fillers" are those who help without being asked, give hugs and compliments, and generally spread their love and good feelings to others. The simple metaphor of a bucket helps even preschoolers understand the importance of consideration and love, particularly towards those who bully.
"Bucket dippers" rob us of happy feelings by refusing to help with a task or by saying or doing cruel things. The challenging problem of "bullying" or "bucket dipping" usually rears its ugly head in the first few weeks of school. Why not address it in a positive, concrete manner!
Do you want to help resolve bullying or bucket dipping? Encourage your child to actively participate and become excited about taking part in a positive behavior program. Carol McCloud's book addresses this issue by helping kids understand that we are all the same, in that we all want some kindness in our lives, every day. Especially bullies!
The Bucketfilling concept is NOT my creation. Carol McCloud first heard the idea that a "bucket" represented a person's self-concept, or mental and emotional health, at an early childhood conference in the 1990's. It was in the 1960's, that Dr. Donald O. Clifton (1924-2003), first created the "Dipper and Bucket" story that has now been passed along for decades. Dr. Clifton later went on to co-author the #1 New York TimesbestsellerHow Full Is Your Bucket?and be named the Father of Strengths Psychology. Their book and website are excellent tools for work and life.
Our Vision
- Make bucket filling and other-centeredness a daily habit
- Reduce mean, bullying, bucket-dipping behaviors
- Empower children to deal with bucket dippers by using their bucket lids
- Help children learn about choices and consequences
- Create safe, positive, nurturing schools
- Strengthen families and build better relationships