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Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Tubs

September 11, 2013 By Deb Chitwood 11 Comments

Community helpers activities can be used at numerous times throughout the year. They often help children feel safe and secure.

Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Tubs

One of the times a community helpers unit can be especially helpful is when children have experienced a tragedy or seen a tragedy or natural disaster in the news.

I published this post on Patriot Day. Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance is a U.S. observance on September 11 each year. It’s meant to honor the heroes and remember those who were injured or killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

For children who are old enough to want more information about 9/11, you can find ideas on how to talk with them about 9/11 in my post “Talking with Children about 9/11 – Ideas and Activities.” Talking with Children about 9/11 - Ideas and ActivitiesI also have a post about talking with children about any tragedy in my post “Talking with Children about Tragedy.”

For younger children who might be exposed to a tragedy or news of a tragedy, it’s especially helpful to focus on community helpers. I love this quote by Mr. Rogers:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” — Mister Rogers

The Washington Post has an article with more information about Mister Rogers’ quote, which was widely publicized after the Newtown shootings: “Mister Rogers and Newtown: quote and image goes viral.”

Mister Rogers on looking for the helpers:

There are tons of community helper activities you can do in observance of 9/11. Today, I want to focus on community helpers activity trays and sensory tubs that include fire fighters, police officers, and/or medical workers.

Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Bins

Montessori-Inspired Activities with Community Helper Figures and Free Printables

Montessori-Inspired Activities with Community Helper Figures and Free Printables

Montessori-Friendly Community Helper Resources

Montessori-Friendly Community Helper Resources

Community Workers Trays from The Linton Academy

Community Workers from Just Montessori

Community Helpers Sensory Tub from Totally Tots

Firefighter Activity Trays and Sensory Bins

Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities

Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities

Fire Sensory Bin (Photo from The Good Long Road)

Fire Sensory Bin (Photo from The Good Long Road)

Fire Sensory Bin from The Good Long Road (blog is no longer available)

Fire Fighter Sensory Box (from an Etsy Shop, but you could assemble a similar sensory tub using fire fighter items you have available)

Fire Fighter Sensory Tub (only available as an image on Pinterest, but again, you could assemble a similar sensory tub)

Fire Safety Sensory Bin from Finding the Teachable Moments

Police Officer Activity Trays and Sensory Bins

Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities

Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities 

Medical Worker Activity Trays and Sensory Bins

Free Ambulance Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ambulance Activities

Free Ambulance Printables and Montessori-Inspired Ambulance Activities

Doctor's Office in a Box (Photo from Chasing Cheerios)

Doctor’s Office in a Box (Photo from Chasing Cheerios)

Doctor’s Office in a Box from Chasing Cheerios

Medical Supply Activity Box (Photo from Teach Preschool)

Medical Supply Activity Box (Photo from Teach Preschool)

 

Medical Supply Activity Box from Teach Preschool

Ambulance Theme Sand and Water Table from Preschool Plan It

Book Ambulance (Photo from Growing Book by Book)

Book Ambulance (Photo from Growing Book by Book)

Book Ambulance (a unique twist on an ambulance theme that teaches children to respect and care for books) from Growing Book by Book

Community Helpers Unit Study Pinterest Board

I have a Community Helpers Unit Study Pinterest Board with community helpers activities of all kinds. I’ll be adding to the Pinterest Board and to this post as I find new community helpers activities online.

Deb - Signature

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Filed Under: Calendar Observances, Unit Studies Tagged With: 9/11, community helpers, community helpers activity trays, community helpers sensory tubs, community helpers unit study, Patriot Day

Previous Post: « Preventing Choking in Babies and Toddlers with Older Siblings
Next Post: Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jodie says

    September 11, 2013 at 7:39 am

    I love the Mr. Roger’s video. What a great idea for a post! Thank you so much for featuring my book ambulance.

    Reply
  2. Jackie Higgins says

    September 12, 2013 at 5:30 am

    Great ideas! My boys will love all of them. I really like your post on Montessori Inspired Activities from PreKandsharing. Very hands on way to learn something so important! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. OneMommy says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:02 am

    So many great ideas — pinned it.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Fischer says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:46 am

    I love this round-up. So many great resources. Thanks for including our fire sensory bin.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      The fire sensory bin is probably my favorite from this list! Congrats!

      Reply
  5. Lauren says

    September 12, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    I am always looking for positive ways to reflect on not-so-positive experiences. Thank you for this collection–I am excited to try some of these with my 3-year-old!

    Reply
  6. Debbie says

    September 13, 2013 at 6:47 am

    Great ideas! Pinned it! Thanks for sharing at TGIF!

    Reply
  7. Carrie says

    September 20, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    What wonderful ideas for teaching about this. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    Reply
  8. Allison says

    September 20, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    Great collection! I’m featuring this on The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thanks for linking up!

    Reply
  9. turkey says

    May 2, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for providing this info.

    Reply
  10. https://play.google.com says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of
    precious know-how about unpredicted emotions.

    Reply

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