"Bucket Filling" is an important idea at Robert Smith School. "Bucket Filling" involves making a conscious, mindful effort to choose words and behaviours that make people feel safe, happy, and accepted. Choosing to fill our own and others' buckets is a concept which also reflects Restitution philosophy as it involves making a commitment to behaving in ways that show safety, kindness, respect and responsibility. Most students have been introduced to the idea of "bucket filling" by the principal, the guidance counsellor, or one of the teachers through a reading of Tom Rath & Mary Reckmeyer’s picture book How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids. This book is available online too. Parents, guardians or other family members can find online readings of this story book by simply entering the title into a Google or YouTube search. Many children, especially in the younger grades, enjoy sharing the story at home with family, and will likely be excited to review the online version if invited to do so.
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids is an easy-to-read story that teaches us the importance of treating others in a kind and respectful way, shows why it is sometimes hard to be kind and respectful when we are having a "bad day", and illustrates how overcoming our urge to act out angrily (when we are having a "bad day") will actually help us to feel a lot better – and everyone else too. The story centers on the idea that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves. When our buckets are full, we are happy and better able to behave well. When our buckets are empty, we are sad and sometimes have a harder time showing pro-social behaviours. The story shows that the best way to fill others’ buckets (and our own) is by showing respect and kindness -- especially when we are having a hard day.
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids carries a powerful message that is easy for children to understand and remember. The bucket language can also make it easier for small children -- who have limited vocabulary -- to express themselves when they are experiencing strong emotions such as anger, fear, or anxiety. While it may be hard for a small child to articulate exactly how he or she feels, it is usually quite easy to say "My bucket is empty!" or "My bucket is full!" providing the care-giving adult important insight into the child’s emotional state and needs at a given point in time.
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids is an easy-to-read story that teaches us the importance of treating others in a kind and respectful way, shows why it is sometimes hard to be kind and respectful when we are having a "bad day", and illustrates how overcoming our urge to act out angrily (when we are having a "bad day") will actually help us to feel a lot better – and everyone else too. The story centers on the idea that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves. When our buckets are full, we are happy and better able to behave well. When our buckets are empty, we are sad and sometimes have a harder time showing pro-social behaviours. The story shows that the best way to fill others’ buckets (and our own) is by showing respect and kindness -- especially when we are having a hard day.
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids carries a powerful message that is easy for children to understand and remember. The bucket language can also make it easier for small children -- who have limited vocabulary -- to express themselves when they are experiencing strong emotions such as anger, fear, or anxiety. While it may be hard for a small child to articulate exactly how he or she feels, it is usually quite easy to say "My bucket is empty!" or "My bucket is full!" providing the care-giving adult important insight into the child’s emotional state and needs at a given point in time.
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If you are interested in learning more about this story, or how – through counselling – students learn ways to start filling their own buckets (by replacing their bucket emptying "red light" thoughts with bucket filling "green light" thoughts), please do not hesitate to contact the Robert Smith School Guidance Counsellor, Margo Yeomans, by telephone at 204-482-3677 Ext. 206 or by email at [email protected] See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5R6-2m_qHk Youtube Site to view How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids |