@article{Winterbottom_Schmidt_2022, title={Embedding character education into an early childhood classroom through service-learning}, volume={3}, url={https://www.j-ces.com/index.php/jces/article/view/173}, DOI={10.37291/2717638X.202232173}, abstractNote={<p>The implementation of service-learning in early childhood education classrooms has not been well documented, and the links to service-learning and the potential effects on character education are scarce at best. In this paper, a service-learning pedagogy is presented as a way to enhance character through education with the youngest learners: children in an early childhood classroom. This study examines the experiences of both teachers and children in an early childhood classroom participating in the form of a service-learning pedagogy for a year, and investigates the social emotional and character development of the young children participating in the classroom. Through the implementation of service-learning in early childhood classrooms, it is possible to grow and create a generation of learners who connect academic curricula through projects that deal with real community needs. With an emphasis on building relationships and making connections, service-learning the authors suggest, is an approach that can allows teachers to maximize children’s strengths, while at the same time building character and positive social and emotional traits.</p>}, number={2}, journal={Journal of Childhood, Education & Society}, author={Winterbottom, Christian and Schmidt, Sarah}, year={2022}, month={Jul.}, pages={112–121} }