Book Nook: How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids

From Cherice of InnerPiecesGallery.


Have you helped fill someone’s bucket today? And no, I don’t actually mean with water, sand, or potting soil.

Authors Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer fill buckets every time someone reads their children’s book How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids. So does illustrator Maurie J. Manning. Want to learn how?

The aptly titled How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids is based on the adult edition How Full Is Your Bucket, a #1 New York Times bestseller. This delightful and empowering storyteaches children and adults what bucket filling is all about.

First we learn that we each have our own imaginary bucket. Granted, some children are not thinking in metaphors at the age they most enjoy picture books. In my humble opinion, a little guidance may be in order while reading to your young, concrete thinking child. We don’t literally have buckets of water floating above our heads all day long. We can, however, learn which actions fill us up and which ones empty us, that is, with a little help from a bucket.

How do we feel when our buckets are empty?

How do we react to other people when that happens?

How do other people react to us?

Manning’s beautiful illustrations help address these important questions and more in a lighthearted, easy to understand way.



I must admit, I initially grew a bit concerned while reading examples of how to fill our buckets. Felix, the main character, began to fill his own empty bucket by receiving compliments from others. I wholeheartedly support cheering for children after a job well done. I do not agree, however, with encouraging reliance on praise in order to feel good about ourselves. Better to form internal mechanisms for self empowerment than to create unhealthy dependence on other people’s opinions. Then again, that’s just my opinion.

As it turns out, my concern only lasted for, oh, a fraction of a moment. The authors, being the research focused professionals that they are, include a variety of ways to fill our own buckets. They placed plenty of emphasis on one of my favorite bucket-filling methods, helping other people fill theirs.

If you’re a parent, you most likely have already filled your child’s bucket numerous times today. If you would like a helpful tool for empowering them to do the same, I highly recommend How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids. Published by Gallup Press, you can find it along with other Tom Rath bestsellers here.

Parents of 10-14 year olds, you will find resources to help discover your child’s strengths there as well.

Care to help fill some more buckets today (including yours)? Spread the word about this empowering children’s book! Pin it. Tweet it. Share it.

If you enjoy this month’s inspiring book find you might also like:
Incredible You and Unstoppable Me!
The Dot, Ish and
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids

Find InnerPiecesGallery online at their blog, twitter and Etsy Shop.

InnerPiecesGallery, EtsyKids Team nor Etsy is affiliated with the books author(s), illustrator(s) or publisher.  This review is provided simply for the joy of sharing good books and for supporting the work of inspiring authors.

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Tutorial: Show Off Your Shamrocks

From Peggy at ComfyCozyKeepsakes.

I’m Irish. 1/4 Irish tossed in with 1/4 Polish and 1/2 German. I LOVE my heritage – all 3 of them. I also   LOVE to decorate for holidays. I have a bin for each and I can tell you right now that my St. Patrick’s Day bin is too small for my liking.

That means it’s time to make some more decorations!!

This is one of the easiest craft projects ever!


Materials needed:

• Shamrock clip art. Copy a simple and FREE file on line or draw your own. 
• 2 sheets of paper or card stock. Card stock works better. 
• Scissors 
• Yarn – white 
• Green Felt or Craft Foam. I like the “natural” look of felt over foam. 
• Tape 

You probably don’t even need directions do you? OK, if you are truly “crafting challenged”, read on:

1.  Copy or trace the Shamrock shape onto the paper/card stock. Cut them out. I used 2 sizes of shamrocks on mine.

2.  Trace shamrocks onto Felt or Foam. Cut them out.

3.  Cut TWO very small holes, evenly spaced, at the top and bottom of shamrocks. 

4.  Cut Yarn to desired length for windows or doors. 

 5.  Slip yarn through holes in shamrocks. Tie a knot at the bottom so the shamrock doesn't slip off.

 

6.  Hang with tape on windows or doors. TA DA!


Keep up with ComfyCozyKeepsakes on facebook.

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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

On The Go Diaper Pouch from Loubugsboutique

Cat in the Hat Boutique Hair Bow from Avabowtiquee

Dr Seuss Knot Dress Thing One and Thing Two from GROOVYGURLZ

Cat with a funny hat Personalized Invitation or Thank You Cards Printable from PinkPickleStudio

Whimsical Cat in the Hat Hair Clip from CravingCuteness

Cloth Diaper Cover - one size from Zookies

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Introducing Kurli•Cues!

Today we introduce you to Karla from Kurli•Cues

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
Probably the same reason most people start a business! :) When I became a SAHM, I realized I needed to find some way to contribute to the family finances. I wanted to be able to have "free" money that wasn't necessarily a part of our budget. I've always loved crafty, girly things so making hair accessories seemed like a good fit. At the time, though, my only child was a boy so I started creating for family and friends.

Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
Originally I thought I'd call my business KCreations - using my initials. BUT that domain was already taken and the name in general seemed over used when I did online research. I still wanted to incorporate my initials and didn't want to choose a name that would limit what I could sell. My husband is actually the one who came up with the name ~Kurli•Cues. We were brainstorming one night and the minute he said it, I knew that's what I'd go with. :)

Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
I love shopping on Etsy! I've mostly purchased supplies for my business, party supplies, and digital design elements thus far, but have favorited A LOT of jewelry! The most recent shop I HEART is HooplaHoopla.

Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
Aside from the fact that people actually buy what I make?? I had no idea the amount of non-crafting time it would take to create an online presence and maintain my business. But I've developed a new love and appreciation for taking good pictures and learning all the "behind the scenes" computer "stuff"!

Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I sell hair accessories.... and so do a TON of Etsy sellers, so probably it's most challenging to stand out from the crowd. My kiddos are still little now, so most of ideas shall remain in my head until such a time as they are in school! I also find it a challenge to price competitively without underselling my time and expenses.

Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I love helping mothers of babies, especially, find solutions that work for their new little one's hair - or lack thereof! Other than that I don't really have any sort of world changing philosophy or motivation behind what I do. I enjoy it and do promise my customers a top quality product that cannot be purchased from mass producers or foreign importers. :)

Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
I didn't really know how to answer this so I asked some others! "multi-tasker, creative, passionate about what she believes in, true friend, meticulous, organized, honest and trustworthy" And well, I shouldn't have asked, because now I feel the need to live up to all those descriptions! :)

Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
I usually work in silence - it's more relaxing but occasionally I will stream my favorite Pandora stations on my TV. At night, I watch TV with my husband while I work.

Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
My other "job" is teaching piano from my home, but when I'm not working I enjoy playing with my kiddos, cleaning and organizing my home, and going on dates with my husband. We are also very heavily involved with various ministries at our church. I also LOVE to read, but don't have much time for that these days.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our February's challenge, Marabou Bunnies, 8x10 (set of 2) by ElizabethLaurenArt!

Elizabeth Lauren Art specializes in custom imaginative paintings for nurseries, children's rooms and playrooms.  Creating that one of a kind design for your one of a kind child.  You can view more of Elizabeth's work right here.

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March 2012 EtsyKids Desktop Background

Here is the desktop calendar for March 2012! This month the theme was pastels and spring with lots of calm happy colours! You can see a treasury of all these items here.

1024 x 768

1280 x 800

1920 x 1080

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Toddler Sensory Activity

From Christine of Belly Bear Baby Gear

 

If you are the proud parent or family member of a toddler, you know all too well that they are constantly exploring the world around them using their senses. Particularly their senses of touch and taste! With this quick and easy activity, you will be able to allow your toddlers to safely have a new tactile experience.



All you will need are a few common household items: a ziploc bag (any size), food coloring, duct tape and good old fashioned foam shaving cream.
Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients it is time to begin!

Squirt enough shaving cream into the ziploc bag to fill one corner of the bag. A little bit goes a long way. Too much shaving cream will make the bag too fluffy. Then add 2-3 drops of food coloring.

Here's where the fun begins. Seal the bag attempting to force as much air as possible out as you completely close the ziploc bag. Now it's your turn to enjoy this experience before your children. Gently massage the shaving cream and food coloring in the bag to create a cohesive color. If you feel like sharing, you can involve your children in this step as well :)

     

Your bag is now ready to adhere to a flat surface. For this application I used the duct tape to hang these bags to my refrigerator. One of my children's favorite places to play. This also works well on a child's sized table. You may choose to only attach the bag with duct tape a the top or duct tape all four sides. Be aware that if you only duct tape the top, chances are your resourceful toddler will quickly have this activity removed from the surface you have taped it to!

If you have preschool age children and are feeling brave, this activity can also been done without the bag (toddlers will eat the mixture without the bag) on a table top or in a tray. This will be messy, but the amount of fun your child will have makes the clean up worth it. If doing this activity without the plastic bag I would recommend using liquid water color paint rather than food coloring to avoid staining. 

   

As a side note, shaving cream does an amazing job of cleaning children's marker and crayon markings off of table tops. If you find yourself with a table covered with stray marks, give your preschooler some shaving cream and let them go to town. You will be amazed at how the marks disappear when it is time to wipe the shaving cream off with a damp sponge.

*As always, never leave your child unattended with this activity. Toddler teeth are always looking for something new to bite and they will most certainly chew right through the bag posing a health hazard to themselves.

Enjoy this experience with your toddler. Watch how the shaving cream mushes and moves as they manipulate the bag.

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