Think about all the people that help you every day. When you go to a shop, a shop assistant can help you find what you are looking for, take your payment and put your shopping in a bag. When you need a haircut, you might visit a barber or a hairdresser. Sometimes things can go wrong, and you might need a mechanic to fix your car or a plumber to mend your pipes!
Lots of people have jobs that let them help other people. The emergency services (Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Coast Guard) help people who are in danger.
Teach your children about people who help us using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Try our ideas linked to the classic book Cops and Robbers.
- Make a list of the people who help you throughout the day, where do you see them, how do they help you, what are their jobs?
- Write a thank you letter to a person who has helped you as part of their job. What did they do for you?
- Use the song Miss Polly had a dolly to stimulate discussion about how doctors help us.
- Create a role play area themed around people who help us; it could be a shop, a medical centre, a vets, a recycling centre or any place where people help others.
- Play What Job do you Want? charades.
- Write a job advert. What qualities would a person need to apply? What tasks would they complete as part of their job? How would they help people?
- Download and play the Stand up job game.
Resources
- Download our posters showing people who help us.
- Play People who help us bingo.
- This episode of BBC radio show Something to Think About looks at people who help us in school.
- Set up a police station in your role play area with our printable interview form, evidence form, caution and oath, and police tape.
- There are two “Let’s Move” dance programs for Key Stage 1 children:
People Who Help Us Facts
- The Ancient Egyptians, Sumerians and Babylonians all had police forces.
- The first modern postal service was set up in Paris in the 17th century. Mail boxes were set up around the city. It was not very sucessful.
- The first known school for nurses was established in 250 BCE in India. Only men could train there!
- About 1.3 billion people visit public libraries every year, around the world.
Videos
People who help us song
A simple song about people who help us, to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus.
Running time: 2:33
People Who Help Us
This video shows young children playing, thinking and talking about what jobs they might do when they grow up.
Running time: 2:21
How do Firefighters put out fires?
Maddie from CBeebies ‘Do You Know?’ shows us how firefighters use hoses to put out fires!
Running time: 1:01
Community Helpers for Kids
A fun quiz for children to decide who could help them.
Running time: 4:17
Meet our people: Clare Randall – Postwoman
Clare talks about her job delivering post.
Running time: 1:04
Books
The Rescue Party
Join Percy the Park Keeper as he helps a rabbit.
Mrs Plug the Plumber
Whenever a plumber is needed in the town, people call for Mrs Plug. And wherever she goes, Mr Plug and the baby Plugs go too. One of the Ahlberg Happy Families Series.
The Jolly Postman
The Jolly Postman delivers his letters to fairy tale characters.
Real Superheroes
Who are the real superheroes that keep our world safe?
Recycling Officer
Learn about the work of a recycling officer, one of a series of books looking at the jobs of people who help us.
Lifeboat Crew Member
Have you ever wondered about the people who risk their lives to rescue people at sea? What is it like to work as a lifeboat crew member?
Links
- Try this fun game and find the right clothes and equipment for each job!
- Look around an ambulance and find out the names of the equipment in it.
- Learn more about fire safety and the work of fire fighters in Sparkton.
- Research emergency workers to answer the questions on this activity sheet.
- Play Junior vets on call to learn about the work of a vet.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
