Ahh… Summer! Now is the time to enjoy longer days and create a schedule that focuses on the most important people in our lives – our families. Summer is the perfect season to have fun together while building relationships and creating memories.

I think we all agree that kindness is one of the most important attributes that we want to help our children develop. Practicing kindness is something that families can and should do together. But what is the best way to do this?

Have you heard about bucket fillers? This is a program developed by Carol McCloud and recently acquired by Cardinal Rule Press. The concept is centered around an invisible bucket that everyone carries. This bucket is filled with good thoughts and feelings. A person is happy when their bucket is full but sad when it is empty. Buckets are filled when you do something kind for others. But there are bucket dippers who do and say mean things and act like bullies. This concept teaches children how to express love and kindness which leads to a happier and more fulfilled life. Buckets can also be emptied by negativity. Empty buckets can cause sadness, worry, anger, and depression. The concrete example of a bucket can help children understand how their actions can affect others as well as themselves.

There are many resources available through the Bucket Filler program and a number of the books share a distinctive Christian focus including:

WILL YOU FILL MY BUCKET? Daily Acts of Love Around the World by Carol McCloud and Karen Wells, illustrated by Penny Weber beautifully shows ways that people around the world show love and kindness to others.

BEST BUCKET FILLER EVER! God’s Plan for Your Happiness by Carol McCloud and illustrated by Glenn Zimmer shares how God is the best bucket filler and that every person is precious to Him. This book inspires children to love God and love others.

Here is some information about the Bucket Filler Program. Please contact me if you would like to know more and are interested in having a speaker come to your school or church.

Bucket filling kindness should begin at home. Make time this summer to plan activities where you can share love and kindness while filling the buckets of others. Enjoy this printable to help your family become bucket fillers. (just copy and paste)

Thank you for visiting the CCA blog. Please follow us for book news, resources, and encouragement.

Claire Annette Noland

#bucketfillers, #christianbooks, #christianfamilyactivities