Children Learn Compassion is a Vital Social Trait

Patch Whiz Team of the Week: Haddam Elementary School Bucket Fillers of the Week

Whiz Kid's Names, ages: Kindergarten: Alden Weston, John Panzera, Kristen Thebeau, Logan DiCicco; first grade: Riley Millard, Adam Alonzo, Stephen Shulz, Philip Knowlton, Yumiko Imai; grade two: Chloe Totman, Allie Tetrault, Patrick O’Hanlon, Brett Nielson; grade four: Thomas Williams, Autumn Urtz.

Whiz Kid's School: Haddam Elementary

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: These students have gone out of their way to be compassionate to their peers.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:  Bucket filling is an easy-to-understand concept: Everyone carries an invisible bucket that holds our good thoughts and feelings. When our buckets are full, we feel happy and when our buckets are empty, we feel sad. Children quickly understand that they can fill buckets when they do and say things that are kind, considerate, caring and respectful. They also learn that when they are mean, inconsiderate, uncaring or disrespectful, they dip into buckets and remove those good feelings. Even the youngest child understands that actions and words can either fill a bucket or dip into it. The student’s recognized this week have filled people’s buckets by being compassionate.