High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

"Little Minds, Big Imaginations"

Streaming Media

Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3215

Faculty/Instructor

Brad Crawford

Faculty/Instructor Email

crawford@ucf.edu

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

Our project focused on service-learning through weekly reading sessions at UCF’s Creative School for Children. During our time we visited three age groups: toddlers, pre-k 1, and pre-k 2. We took turns reading aloud, encouraged participation, and built a love for storytelling among young learners. Each week, we selected books from the UCF CMC library and devoted 30 minutes to each class. Over time, we observed growth in the children’s attention span, enthusiasm, and social skills. During one combined session, both pre-k classes eagerly listened to ten books for over an hour and still wanted more reading time. Many students began requesting books and connecting the stories being read to their experiences. Through this, we saw an increased level of comfort and comprehension.

This project connected to our LDR course through principles of servant leadership. In class, we had discussions on The Servant by James C. Hunter. We learned leadership begins with a choice, seen through selecting books, managing time, and adapting to different groups of children. Through patience, discipline, and enthusiasm, we developed confidence in communication skills reflecting servant leadership values. What began as unfamiliar, or conscious-unskilled, turned into a rewarding practice of self-growth and community outreach, or unconscious-skilled.

The most valuable outcome was witnessing how consistent encouragement and genuine engagement influence young children’s development. Their confidence, curiosity, and participation emphasized compassionate leadership and the power of education. This service-learning project strengthened students’ literacy and social abilities and deepened our understanding of how service creates leadership and lifelong learning.

Keywords

Service-learning, leadership, early childhood education, literacy, UCF, communication, social development, servant leadership, building engagement


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