It's fascinating how sometimes seemingly average children's books permeating with pictures to attract adolescents can pack more wisdom than a heavily worded text geared towards adults. After reading Have you Filled a Bucket Today?:A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, by Carol McCloud and illustrated by David Messing, it is certain that the author's brilliant concept of "bucket filling" can be extended as a guide to daily happiness for all, regardless of age.
The Message
Author Carol McCloud details being introduced to the concept of "bucket filling" at a parenting workshop for an early childhood conference in the 1990s. An expert on infant brain research, the speaker described each child as being born with an invisible bucket representing their mental and emotional health. Simply put, nurturing children causes their bucket to be filled and vice versa. In her own text, McCloud applies this concept to teach children at a young age how they too can be bucket fillers. Through the use of effective metaphors, the author displays the impact of "bucket filling" and "bucket dipping" as they relate to treating others around us. Encouraging positive behavior and relationships, children are taught how showing love, saying a kind word, or even giving a smile can fill a bucket. In contrast, mocking others, hurting their feelings, or ignoring them can be some ways that one becomes a bucket dipper. Introducing children to this concept in a light-hearted manner through the representation of "invisible buckets" is an effective way to increase metacognition in adolescents.
Its Application from Adolescence to Adulthood
While McCloud's text is tailored to address a juvenile audience, the message behind it is ageless. Yes, adults too can envision the filling and dipping of buckets as a means to implement considerate behavior. It is no coincidence that the cover of the text's newest rendition features not only a child with a bucket but an adult also. Working within the realm of professionals, adults too need to be reminded about the cultivating of healthy relationships amongst team members, co-workers, and/or employees. Texts such as McCloud's story, which features a playful emblem (buckets) for the facilitation of respect and support for others, are integral for upholding success within our communities. This goal can be attained by integrating texts such as this one into professional development workshops or seminars for educators or any other profession.
Resources for Educators
The team involved in publishing the book Have you Filled a Bucket Today?:A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, by Carol McCloud and illustrated by David Messing, has a site dedicated to promoting its "Bucket Fillosophy." Filled with a plethora of resources like presentations, journals, and questionnaires, educators or working professionals can make the most out of this particular text and others written by the same author. Moreover, individuals can derive ideas from the resources featured on this site and apply them to other texts for social emotional learning (SEL) lessons within the classroom, team building workshops, or professional development conferences.
References
McCloud, Carol, and David Messing. Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids (Bucketfilling Books). 10th Anniversary, Bucket Fillers, 2015
Bucket Fillers. bucketfillers101.com.
Wow this was so inspirational! Thank you for your insight and advice ♥️