“Have You Filled a Bucket today?

           The  staff and students of Sherman Elementary  embrace the "Bucket Filling" philosophy. Here is a brief explanation of the concept. 

Carol McCloud, the author of “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” first learned about bucketfilling in a parenting workshop at an early childhood conference in the 1990’s.  The speaker, an expert in infant brain research, said it is helpful to think of every baby as being born with an invisible bucket.  The bucket represents a child’s mental and emotional health.  You can’t see  the bucket, but it’s there.  She went on to say that it is primarily the parents’ or other caregivers’ responsibility to fill a child’s bucket.  When you hold caress, nurture, touch, sing, play and provide loving attention, safety and care, you fill your child’s bucket.  Yes we all know that babies require love. Giving love fills buckets.

However, in addition to being loved, children must also be taught how to love others.  Children who learn how to express kindness and love lead happier lives.  When you love and care about others and  show that love with  what you say and do, you feel good and you fill your own bucket too.

Carol McCloud’s book was written to teach children how to be bucket fillers.  Each teacher at Sherman Elementary has the "Have you filled a bucket lately?" book and they  read the story to their students. As they read the book  this year they will use it as an opportunity to model bucketfilling.  The teachers will help  them think about what they might say or do to fill someone else’s bucket. They will work with your child and help them practice daily bucket filling.  Very quickly they will experience the pride and joy of filling buckets. 

At home you will hear your child use the bucket filling terms. Have fun with it and become a bucket filler, too!