Community Helpers

Community Helpers Kit – Lesson 1 of 7

Materials Needed:

• Safari Toob – “People at Work” figurines
• Labeled cards for the firefighter, vet, chef, construction worker, mail carrier, pilot, police officer
• Montessori Mat (if desired)
• Basket for figurines (if desired)

Purpose:  Your child will be introduced to seven jobs where people offer services or help to others in the community (community helpers).

Vocabulary: community, help, firefighter, vet (veterinarian), chef, construction worker, mail carrier, pilot, police officer

Suggested Time: 20-25 minutes

• Invite your child to work with you.
• Place the basket of figurines and the labeled photos in the upper right corner.
• Tell your child, “Today we are going to learn about special types of jobs people can have. Our family is a group of people, but our family is part of a community– a bigger group of people that live and work together.  Some people’s job is to help others in the community.  We can call them community helpers.  Today we are going to learn about 7 types of community helpers.”
• Lay out the photo of the firefighter. Say, “This is a firefighter. A firefighter helps put out any fires which may be dangerous.  Can you find the firefighter figure?” Place the figurine next to the labeled photo.
• Continue on in this fashion introducing each profession along with a basic description. Have your child find the matching figurine and place it next to the photo. Here are some possible simple descriptions for each:
  • This is a vet, or veterinarian. This community helper keeps our pets healthy.
  • This is a chef. This community helper creates delicious food for others.
  • This is a construction worker. This community helper builds homes or other buildings for people to work or live in.
  • This is a mail carrier. This community helper delivers letters or packages to people.
  • This is a pilot. A pilot flies people or goods (like packages) in airplanes so they can get places more quickly.
  • This is a police officer. This community helper keeps a community safe.

• Once all photos and figurines are laid out and matched, check for recognition. Say, “Now show me the construction worker.” or “Place the firefighter back in the basket.  Put the vet in this corner.”   Continue on in this manner making sure your child can recognize each of the community helpers. You can be playful with this step.  “Make the mail carrier hop like a kangaroo.”
• Next, collect all of the photos and figurines. Take out one figurine and ask, “What is this community helper’s job?”  See if your child can name all seven.
• Finally, invite your child to match the pictures and figurines independently.

Differentiation Activities:

• Ask your child to find the two community helpers whose jobs start with the /p/ (pilot, and police officer)
• Ask who might make something at their job? (chef and construction worker, but accept any reasonable answers.)
• Ask who might help a cat? (Again, accept reasonable answers.)
• Ask your child which of the jobs he/she may like to do and why?