Hands On To Help Others: Service-Learning As A Cross-Cultural Strategy To Promote Empathy And Moral Development In The Preschool Classroom

Abstract

The English language expression “to take a walk in someone else's shoes” speaks to the importance of empathizing with the situations of others and making an effort to understand their perspectives. One method for cultivating this emotional literacy is through service-learning projects. This approach brings students out of the classroom and into the community, encourages them to contribute positively to the lives of others, and provides hands-on learning experiences with real-world application. This type of learning can have particularly positive effects in communities experiencing friction and/or conflict arising from racial, ethnic, or socio-economic diversity. Service-learning projects are often undertaken by schools with the resources to allow students to travel to other regions and countries, but international travel is not necessary to reap the benefits of this approach. Even engaging with a local NGO, care facility, or government project can have great impact on the students and the community. In this article, the author explores the possibilities of implementing service-learning projects with very young children in the pursuit of character and moral development.

Publication Date

11-2-2015

Publication Title

Childhood Education

Volume

91

Issue

6

Number of Pages

451-456

Document Type

Note

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2015.1114799

Socpus ID

85066282316 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85066282316

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