Be a Community Helper!
Here's What To Do
Say, “People in our community do important jobs, and they wear special clothes to help them do their work. Let’s pretend to be community worker! Let’s pick a job, make the clothes, and pretend to do that job!"
Show your child images of community workers and ask, “Who do you want to be today? A firefighter, doctor, mail carrier, or someone else?” Let your child choose a role.
Help your child create a simple outfit using paper and household items. “Doctors wear coats, mail carriers have a bag. What does your worker wear? Let’s make it!”
Say, “Now let’s act like the worker you picked! What does a firefighter do first? How does a mail carrier deliver the mail?” Encourage them to move, talk, and imagine.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Find a quiet space and give them a big hug!
Engage:
- “How did it feel to do that job?”
- “What do you think is the hardest part of their job?”
Encourage:
- “You’re really thinking like a real (community worker)! I love how you’re acting it out!”
- “It’s okay if your outfit isn’t perfect, great workers use what they have to get the job done!”
Reflect:
- Would you want to do this job when you grow up?
Not quite ready?
Let your child color or decorate a simple worker’s badge before dressing up.
Ready for more?
Have them pretend to do the job for someone else (deliver "mail" to a family member, check a doll’s heartbeat, etc.).
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to demonstrate the role of community helpers.