The Cherishing Heart Project
As we begin the first project of 2025, we are exploring a theme that lies at the heart of every meaningful relationship — “The Cherishing Heart.”
What does it mean to cherish something? How do we decide what deserves our care and gentle hands? Together with the children, we will take time to think, feel, and experience what it truly means to value something or someone. For our young learners, ages two to four, the world still revolves mainly around themselves. But as they spend time in school, that little world begins to widen — to include friends, teachers, shared spaces, and a sense of belonging. This project is designed to gently support that first step into seeing beyond oneself.
First, we will begin by talking about what is precious to me — a favorite toy, a blanket, or a person they love deeply. Each child will have the chance to share their “treasure” with friends, learning what it feels like when others handle their special item with gentle care — and how to do the same for others.
Next, we will move into what is important to us all. These might not be our personal treasures, but shared things like books, classroom toys, and art materials — items that belong to everyone. Children will begin to understand that these are also precious, precisely because we share and care for them together.
Later in the project, we will explore fragile things — an eggshell, a feather, a thin piece of paper — and how to handle them carefully. This helps children understand that some things, and some beings, need extra gentleness. They will naturally connect this idea to caring for babies, small animals, or even friends who need a little more patience and kindness.
Finally, we will talk about the feelings that arise when something precious is lost or not treated with care. How does it feel when my special toy breaks, or when someone forgets to handle it gently? Through these reflections, children will begin to recognize that such sadness or frustration comes from love — from how much they valued that thing. And by understanding their own feelings, they can also begin to empathize with others, realizing that other people’s treasures and feelings deserve the same respect and care.
For the final group art project, we plan to explore the idea that even when something precious to us gets broken, we can still treat it with care, repair it, and create something new from it. It will be an artistic experience of restoration, healing, and care.
The Cherishing Heart Project is not only about learning to take care of things — it is about learning to take care of hearts. When children learn the attitude of cherishing, their hearts naturally follow.
We hope that through this project, the children will experience an ever-expanding circle of love — starting from themselves, to their beloved families, to their dear friends at school, and finally to the world around them, including the nature we all share and care for together.
