Service Learning in Early Childhood Education
![]() What is “Service Learning” in the Introduction to Early Childhood Education classroom? Simple! This service learning project was an opportunity to give to the Ithaca Kindergarten classrooms while also learning valuable skills needed for teaching. Service Learning in general is an opportunity to do community service while also connecting the service to classroom learning. In this project, we were definitely able to do both.
The project focused on making language and literacy kits for the Ithaca classroom. My role was to create two boxes that would be used in the classroom’s dramatic play areas. I was responsible for gathering materials, creating binders with activities and information, and providing ideas for teachers and families. These materials, activities, and ideas, all related to the themes and promoted language and literacy. My two themes were “The Aquarium” and “Camping”. Both themes were very fun, and I was very pleased with the materials I found. I was especially pleased with the storybooks available for both themes. It seems every popular character has either gone to the Aquarium (or an Aquarium related location) or has gone camping. This was wonderful as I knew children would connect with beloved characters—and would learn new vocabulary at the same time! For my Aquarium box, storybooks included:
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For materials, I was able to find a lot of engaging items that will allow children to explore the vocabulary on their own terms through play-based learning. These materials promote literacy because they allow children to form an understanding of what the words mean. I’ve also included notebooks, pencils, and paper for children to write and draw, and have included activities for children to fully explore both themes.
For the Aquarium box, some of my favorite materials include:
Consequently, the promotion of literacy and language also allows for activities and materials that support children in all areas of development. Whether through categorizing and sorting, or through song and dance, children will be able to get up and moving, will be encouraged to explore their world, and consider the bigger world around them. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] |
Above are two of the sleeves I made for the literacy kits in kindergarten. These pictures will help children become inspired. The really neat thing is that the aquarium pictures come from the Georgia Aquarium, which also offers virtual tours! Taking students on virtual field trips is another way to enhance the understanding. Below are links to some of the coolest virtual tours I've found.
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Literacy ActivityOne easy way to promote literacy in the dramatic play space is by including "write and wipe" pages. These are very easy to make and can be used for any theme! Simply switch out the images whenever you want to change the theme. Students could even have their very own "write and wipe" sleeve with a self portrait so they could write about themselves!
For this activity you will need: 1. Plastic sleeves 2. Images of your choice 3. Glue 4. Dry erase markers and eraser 5. Half-lined paper. Here's where I found mine! To make the 'write and wipe' pages simply find images and print them out. Then cut them to fit in the open illustration space on the lined paper. Glue them down and slide the pages into a plastic sleeve. Invite children to write stories, sentences, and poems below the illustration! My examples are for camping and the aquarium. |