This week the theme for Playful Preschool is Community Helpers. Each week, our group of blogger educators shares a series of free preschool curriculum activities related to the weekly theme. If you have missed any of these posts or want to look back and try out the activities, follow the hashtag #playfulpreschool across social media. Also, on the bottom of each post, is a series of links to the other posts in the weekly theme making it convenient to form a lesson plan.
We decided to go and meet a local crossing guard and find out more about what she does. Miss Anita helped us practice safely crossing the street by learning to wait for the sound of her whistle before crossing. She told the Sugar Snaps that they would be able to hear the whistle better than her voice. We stopped what we were doing, looked out for cars and listened for her whistle. She showed us how she holds her stop sign with one hand and holds her other hand out in a stop gesture to remind cars to stop. She had the Sugar Snaps practice the stance. Miss Anita showed us her bright colored vest and quizzed the Sugar Snaps about why it was that color. They figured out that the bright color made her easier for drivers to spot. She informed us that crossing guards work at the same schools each day so that they can get to know the children and parents in the community which enhances safety for everyone.
Greg made us a printable stop sign which we will share with you so you can make a stop sign with your children or students. Click the link below to download yours.
Make a Stop Sign:
You will need:
- 2 copies of the free printable stop sign per child
- Tape
- One craft stick per child
- Glue stick or white glue
- Children’s scissors
Discuss the octagon shape of the stop sign. Have the children count the sides and then cut out the stop sign. This is great for developing scissor skills! Our four preschoolers were all at different levels. Some signs required tape for repair.
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Hold hands with a grown-up.
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Stop away from the edge of the curb.
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Look both ways for cars more than once.
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Listen for cars.
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If there is a crossing guard, follow instructions and wait for the sound of the whistle.
Have you taught your children or students about community helpers? What activities have you tried?
More Community Helper Lessons from the #PLAYfulpreschool Education Team
Rescue the Alphabet Game by Mom Inspired Life
ABC Mail Delivery Service by Tiny Tots Adventures
Making and Delivering Mail by Growing Book by Book
Community Helpers Starting Sounds – #playfulpreschool by Rainy Day Mum
Map Activity for a Community Helpers Preschool Theme by Fun-A-Day!
Community Helpers Police Hat Craft for Preschoolers at Life Over C’s
Road Construction Pretend Play: The Importance of Stop & Go Games for Kids by Still Playing School
Doctor or Nurse Community Helper Center: Band-Aid Games for #PlayfulPreschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Crossing Guard-Learning and Imaginative Play by Capri + 3
Teach About Community Helpers with Role Playing by The Educators’ Spin On It
Join us tonight at 9:00 EST for a Live Google Hangout. We will be sharing fun crafts, learning activities, and movement games for the community helper theme.The event will be recorded and available for viewing afterwards.
Natasha Johnson says
Such a cute craft for preschoolers to do.
Theresa says
Thank you Natasha.
They had a lot of fun making and using their stop signs.
: 0 ) Theresa
Danielle B says
How fun! I love that you went and met a crossing guard and learned from her. Such a great field trip for a preschooler!
Theresa says
Thank you Danielle.
We had a lot of fun meeting Miss Anita. I didn't realize she used a whistle to signal it was safe to cross until she showed us the protocol. That helped me to be able to add that into their pretend play.
: 0 ) Theresa
Twitchetts Blogspot says
Thank you this will be a fun activity and to be teaching them safety at the same time!! Perfect!!
Theresa says
Hi Twitchetts BlogSpot.
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the activity.
: 0 ) Theresa
Mindful Momma says
I couldn't wait to "grow up" and be a crossing guard in 5th grade! Wonderful idea to plant the seed in preschoolers.
Theresa says
Hello Mindful Momma.
It is so fun to look back on all the things we wanted to be when we were little. I had several different professions I wanted to 'be' at different times. Thank you. They had a lot of fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Shaney Vijendranath says
Such lovely ideas, you should consider making an e book.
Theresa says
Thank you Shaney.
I would love to make an e-book in the future. Thank you for your kind words.
: 0 ) Theresa
Mary Catherine says
Love how the kiddos met a crossing guard and really practiced the job!!
maggiemaysgifts says
What a neat activity to let them meet a real crossing guard first. I'm sure that made the "make believe' part much more fun!!
Theresa says
Thank you Mary Catherine.
They had fun meeting a "real live" crossing guard.
: 0 ) Theresa
maryanne @ mama smiles says
This is such a great pretend play learning activity for kids!
Theresa says
Hello Maggiemaygifts.
Thank you. Yes, I think they understood what the job was about much better after the 'interview' and practice with the crossing guard. She was so nice and helpful. We were lucky she enjoyed our surprise visit.
: 0 )Theresa
Laura Flaute says
Wonderful activities! We should do all of them: thank you so much! Can we borrow your awesome Miss Anita for a day? 😉
Theresa says
Thank you Maryanne.
They had a great time learning from the real crossing guard and then pretending to do her job.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Laura.
Thank you. Miss Anita was happy to help us. I'm sure she'd help you too. : 0 ). I imagine you could do as we did and find a local crossing guard to interview and practice with. We were lucky Miss Anita was so open to having us there. I imagine most crossing guards do enjoy children.
: 0 ) Theresa
Jen The Halfway Homemaker says
This is cute. My daughter is obsessed with following rules, so this would be a great project for her.
Growing Book by Book says
Such a cute and important lesson. My kids love to play with their stop and go sign.
Theresa says
Hi Jen.
That is cute that your daughter loves to follow rules. I agree that this would be great for her.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hi Growing Book By Book.
Stop signs are a lot of fun and are easy for children to recognize. Thanks for your comment.
: 0 ) Theresa
Pschooltoolbox says
I love that you connected with the crossing guard! What an important job they have.:) The stop signs are great practice. You may have future crossing guard helpers growing at your house!
Theresa says
Thank you PSchoolToolbox.
I imagine they would love to be crossing guard helpers some day. That would be fun.
: 0 ) Theresa
Dianna@The Kennedy Adventures says
What fun! We don't work with a crossing guard, since our littles are at home for school, but this is a sweet idea!
Theresa says
Hi Dianna.
We actually don't either as ours are preschool age. They had never heard of a crossing guard before this lesson, but they had a lot of fun learning about the profession and pretending to do the job.
: 0 ) Theresa