Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

This post includes affiliate links. See my disclosure here.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids (Bucketfilling Books)

Written by Carol McCloud  Illustrated by David Messing

Bucket Fillosophy, Bucket Fillers, Inc, 2015 (10th Anniversary Edition: revised & updated)

Reviewed copy: from my resource shelf at work

Back of book:
This heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show children how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by "filling buckets."
Updated and revised, this 10th anniversary edition will help readers better understand that "bucket dipping" is a negative behaviour not a permanent label.It also explains that it's possible to fill or dip into our own buckets.

See below for more about this book...


Missus B says:
In an introduction page, author Carol Mc Cloud explains a little about Bucket Fillosophy. The concept is simple -buckets symbolize our mental and emotional health. Positive events in our lives can give us a happy 'full bucket' , while negative things result in an 'empty bucket.'

Through simple language and colourful illustrations, the book gives important messages about kindness and empathy.

Your bucket has one purpose only. 
It's purpose is to hold your good thoughts and good feelings about yourself.
You feel happy and good when your bucket is full, and you feel sad and lonely when your bucket is empty.

It explains how kind, caring actions and respect for others are ways of sharing happiness. These positive interactions help to fill our own buckets and the buckets of others.

Illustrations are bright and colourful, with a diverse group of characters throughout.

'Bucket dipping' is taking away good feelings. Excluding others, bullying behaviour and negative interactions are ways we do that . At the same time, we dip into our own buckets, continuing the cycle of negativity. 

Importantly, the book explains that, if your own bucket is empty it cannot be filled by dipping into someone else's. So, children learn to understand that negative behaviour is not good for your own mental health and well-being. Instead, they are given the message that, positive exchanges  can make you & others feel good.

I LOVE this book and the wonderful message it gives. Ideal as part of the SPHE/PSHE curriculum, it helps children  to think about the impact of their behaviour on a day-to-day basis. It's a great circle-time read at the beginning of the school year, or at times when pro social behaviour needs to be encouraged.

Young children can easily learn to make acquaintances  and cooperate, but forming real friendships and positive social values is not automatic. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? provides examples and is a great conversation tool within the classroom. While using it, there is plenty of scope for discussion & social learning:

• developing emotional literacy-identifying, naming and exploring feelings
• thinking of positive ways to interact with others
• considering the consequences of certain behaviours
• developing empathy skills
• teaching children to have a common goal/ agree on acceptable group behaviour

Book can lead to discussions about pro social behaviour

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids (Bucketfilling Books)
is a great resource for parents and professionals. It's simple, warm & positive message will appeal to adults and children.

Book available at the affiliate links below

Happy Reading,
Missus B
               
You may be interested in other books I have listed on these pages : 'Social Skills' and 'Feelings/Emotions'

Check out some great evidence-based ideas to help children communicate, connect & empathise at this link:  Social skills activities for children & teens by Gwen Dewar, Parenting Science

For lots of activities and printables related to this book, check out this link : Bucket Fillers Free Resources