FROM THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE Fostering a deeper heart for service Do young children understand what service others in their encounters with those who need help, or those in a is and demonstrate what it may look like? Is predicament. Children possess a natural heart for service within their strong desire to express ‘self’ and their immense desire to be ‘service’ something that is of value to children? with others so naturally and in meaningful ways. As broad, complex and abstract as it may appear, learning, Our aim therefore is to nurture and grow the heart for serving understanding and practising ‘service’ is at the heart of what we do others in ways that are meaningful and contextual to the children with the youngest pupils of Newington. Explicit service in action may at the ELC. Over the course of the year, we have had wonderful not seem prominent at the ELC, but the building blocks of looking role modelling of this from the Wyvern Year 6 monitors. The boys beyond the interest of self and reaching out to the interest of others have been giving up their recess time to volunteer as supporters, (Philippians 2:4 NIV) are very much embedded in the educational helpers and playmates to the ELC children. Physically getting down to the children’s level, intently listening to children’s requests and curriculum there. play ideas and immersing themselves in the ELC classrooms, the The foundation we lay for children to grasp and emanate the Year 6 boys have certainly exemplified what explicit ‘service’ looks concept of service begins with our image of children at the ELC. like and how it can build community connection. The Wyvern boys Inspired by the founder of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Loris have opened a doorway for the ELC to seek a more explicit way of Malaguzzi, we believe children engage in developing relationships exploring and establishing service learning in our setting. with the world from the moment of birth. We believe children are As we look ahead, knowing and trusting that children possess a intent on experiencgthe orld through the complex system of heart for serving others, we endeavour to discover how these hearts abilities, learning strategies and ways of organising relationships. can be grounded in reaching out to others. During Term 3, we have We see children as being capable, curious and eager to engage in been seeking ideas from ELC families to share their involvement big ideas in their learning. They are ambitious and interested in with or offer suggestions of any charity organisations to support. seeking understanding and investigating theories. We view children This proved to be insightful and effective in collaborating with as citizens from the very first moment of life and the most important families but also narrows our focus on service learning as part citizens because they represent the bearers of possibilities, of of the ELC educational program. values, of rights and of the culture that lies ahead. Our image of children as citizens: competent, possessors of rights We value the many paths that lead to learning and as part of the who have a strong desire to connect to others, form the basis of wider Newington community that prioritises and emphasises the building strong foundations that nurture children’s capacity to importance of service and we aspire to engage in nominated service learning that will be meaningful and worthwhile to the ELC children. understand and demonstrate the act of service. If we view service We look forward to students fostering a deeper understanding of as that which requires empathy, compassion, kindness and looking beyond themselves and offering their hearts of service generosity, we can confidently say the ELC children instinctively unconditionally and joyfully. display these dispositions in their interaction with peers and educators in their own unique and authentic ways. They may not Mrs Sharon Lee necessarily be able to articulate their actions as ‘service’, but Head of Early Learning Centre children convey their compassion or empathy with their eyes, their hands, their gestures of kindness and consideration of Matilda Elsegood and Ivy McGinnes Henry Elsegood and Georgia Lee serving intensely engaged in a book. Ready to go to work – fireman Harry Wang. the class as Lunch Leaders. Service | News Spring 2022 | ELC | 47