Here are 76 community helper songs for preschool, with full lyrics, the tune each one borrows, and a one-line teaching note on the age or motion it suits. Most are sung to melodies you already know, such as “I’m a Little Teapot” and “The Farmer in the Dell,” so you can lead one at circle time today with no practice. The rest are fingerplays and counting rhymes that need no tune at all.
The songs are grouped by job: firefighters, police officers, doctors and nurses, dentists, mail carriers, teachers and bus drivers, farmers and vets, carpenters and plumbers, bakers and grocers, and songs that name many helpers at once. Use the list below to jump straight to the helper you are teaching this week. Eight videos are embedded where they fit, so children can hear a tune before you teach it.
A short guide to running a community helpers unit comes first, then the songs, then answers to the questions teachers ask most.
- How to run a community helpers unit
- Firefighter songs
- Firefighter fingerplays and chants
- Police officer and 9-1-1 songs
- Doctor and nurse songs
- Dentist songs
- Mail carrier songs
- Teacher and school bus songs
- Farmer and vet songs
- Carpenter, painter and plumber songs
- Baker, chef and grocer songs
- Songs about all the helpers
- Other helpers: barber, garbage collector, lifeguard and more
- Frequently asked questions
How to run a community helpers unit
Teach one helper at a time. A unit that covers ten jobs in one week leaves threes with a blur of hats. Give each helper a full day, or a full week if you have the time, and sing that helper’s two or three songs every day of it. Four to six helpers over two or three weeks is plenty for a first pass.
Start with the helpers children have actually met. The person who collects the bins, the crossing guard, the school bus driver, the nurse who gave them a sticker: those jobs already mean something. Save the astronaut and the miner for the end, once children have the idea that a job is something a person does for other people. Ask at circle time, “Who helped you this morning?” and write the answers on chart paper. That list is your unit plan.
Invite one real visitor. A parent who is a nurse, the letter carrier on your route, or a firefighter from the local station will usually say yes to twenty minutes. Ask them to bring the things they hold in their hands at work: the stethoscope, the mail bag, the helmet. Tell them exactly what you want: show each tool, let children touch it, and answer three questions. Have those three questions ready, because twenty preschoolers asked “Any questions?” will tell the visitor about their dog.
Put the job in the dramatic play corner. A cardboard box with a paper-plate steering wheel is a mail truck; a plastic tub and a doll are a vet clinic. Children learn a job by acting it out, so pair each song with one setup. “The Customer Orders the Food” needs a table, a notepad and the play kitchen. “In the Mailbox” needs envelopes, a shoebox with a slot and a bag to carry them. A hat matters more than a full costume: a hat is enough to make a child the helper.
Keep the firefighter day reassuring. A firefighter in full gear, with the mask on and the air tank hissing, can frighten a three-year-old, and a frightened child hides from the person who has come to help. If a firefighter visits, ask them to arrive in plain uniform, put the gear on piece by piece in front of the class, and talk through the mask before it goes over their face. Sing “Down at the Firehouse” first, since it names the boots, jacket, hat and gloves in order. The fire safety songs page has the stop, drop and roll material if you want to go further.
Watch the pronouns. Many of these songs were written when firemen were men and nurses were women, and several still say “he” or “she.” Change them as you sing, alternate them, or use the child’s own name. If a girl in your room wants to be the firefighter in the dramatic play corner, that is the point of the unit, not a problem with it.
Sing the same helper’s songs at the same time each day. Circle time works for the group songs; transitions work for the short fingerplays. “The Firefighter” and “Helpers” take thirty seconds and settle a line at the door. The circle time songs page has openers that fit before any of these.
Firefighter songs
Every class has a firefighter day, so this is the largest group on the page. The sung songs are here; the fingerplays and counting rhymes follow in the next section.
I’m a Firefighter
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a firefighter
Dressed in red,
With my fire hat
On my head.
I can drive the fire truck,
Fight fires, too,
And help to make things
Safe for you.
The easiest firefighter song for threes; pat the head on “fire hat” and turn a pretend steering wheel on “drive the fire truck.”
Down at the Firehouse
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Down by the Station”
Down at the firehouse
Early in the morning,
You can see our clothes
Hanging in a row.
When there is a fire,
We can dress real fast.
Boots, jackets, hats, gloves,
Off we go!
Sing it while children put on the boots, jacket, hat and gloves from the dress-up box in that order.
Big Red Fire Truck
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, twinkle, Little Star”
Big red fire truck, ladder on the top,
Going to a fire where it will stop.
Long curving hose carried about,
Splashing water from its spout.
The fire and smoke are going away,
Now it’s time to shout HURRAY!
Hold both arms up as the ladder, then wave one arm as the hose; fours can shout the HURRAY on cue.
Brave Firefighters
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “3 Blind Mice”
Brave firefighters, brave firefighters, See how they run, to put out the fire.
They leave the fire house when they get the call.
Putting out the fire won’t take long at all.
They’ll try to save any house, big or small,
The brave firefighters.
A quick tune for fours; run in place on “see how they run.”
Firefighter Song
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a firefighter, my name is John
I put my boots and helmet on
I hurry to the fire and give a shout.
With a burst of water,
The fire is out.
Swap “John” for each child’s name and let that child mime the boots and helmet.
Firefighters
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Pop Goes The Weasel”
Down the street the engine goes
The Firemen fight the fire
Up the ladder with their hose
Out goes the fire.
Four lines only, so threes learn it in one sitting; climb an imaginary ladder hand over hand.
Firefighter (Eensy Weensy Spider tune)
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Eensy Weensy Spider”
The firefighter helps us learn our safety rules.
Playing with matches is only for fools.
If you see a fire, “Help,” you’ll scream and shout.
Dial 911. The firefighter will put it out.
Best for fives who can talk about matches; pair it with “9-1-1” in the police section.
Firefighter (I’m a Little Teapot tune)
Added: 03-28-1999
Submitted by: aspencer@
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a little firefighter on the go,
Here is my helmet, here is my hose (point to head and put hands together like a hose)
When I see a fire (pretend to look),
Hear me SHOUT! (shout loud).
I turn the water on (pretend to turn water on),
And put the fire out (pretend to sweep hose back and forth).
SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
The motions are written into the lyrics, so it needs no props; the loud SHHHH at the end is the payoff.
Firefighter fingerplays and chants
Five Friendly Firefighters
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Five friendly firefighters standing near the door,
One washes the fire engine, now there are four.
Four friendly firefighters waiting patiently,
One fixes the hoses, now there are three.
Three friendly firefighters have a lot to do,
One climbs up a ladder, now there are two.
Two friendly firefighters exercise and run,
One cooks some dinner, now there is one.
One friendly firefighter-all the work is done,
This one goes to bed, now there are none.
A count-down on one hand for threes and fours; fold a finger down at each “now there are.”
Four Busy Firefighters
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Four busy firefighters could not retire
Because they might have to put out a fire.
The first one rang a big brass bell.
The second one said, ‘It’s the Grand Hotel!’
The third one said, ‘Down the pole we’ll slide.’
The fourth one said, ‘Get ready to ride.’
The siren said, ‘Get out of the way!’
‘We have to put out a fire today!’
The red fire truck sped on to the fire,
As the big yellow flames grew higher and higher.
Swish went the water from the fire-hose spout
And in no time at all the fire was out.
A read-aloud poem for fives; give four children a line each and let the rest be the siren.
Firefighter Finger Play
Added: 09-22-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Five brave firefighters, Sleeping so,
(hold up a hand with fingers flat across palm)
The fire bell rings, Down the pole they go,
(open the hand and make a downward motion)
Jump in the fire truck, Hurry down the street. Climb up the ladder,
(make the fingers climb)
Feel the fire’s heat.
(wipe sweat from your brow)
Five brave firefighters,
(hold up five fingers)
Put the fire out.
(make a wiping motion)
Hip! Hip! Hooray! All the people shout!
(shout)
The motions are in the text; do it seated, with the whole hand flat as the sleeping crew.
Ten Little Firemen
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Ten little firemen
Sleeping in a row
Ding-dong goes the bell
And down the pole they go
Off on the engine oh! oh! oh!
Using the big hose so, so, so
When the fire is out, home sooo slow
Back to bed all in a row.
Both hands flat as the sleeping crew, then all ten fingers slide down the pole; good for threes.
The Firefighter
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
This firefighter rings the bell. (thumb)
This firefighter hold the hose so well. (index)
This firefighter slides down the pole. (middle)
This firefighter chops a hole. (ring)
This firefighter climbs higher and higher. (pinky)
And all the firefighters put out the fire!
A thumb-to-pinky fingerplay that takes thirty seconds; use it at the door while the line forms.
Five Little Firefighters
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Five little firefighters sit very still. ( Hold up five fingers )
Until they saw a fire on top of a hill. Number one rings the bell, ding dong.
(Bend down thumb)
Number two pulls his big boots on. ( bend down pointer finger )
Number three climbs on the truck right away. ( bend down middle finger.)
Number four joins him–no one can wait. ( bend down ring finger )
Number five drives the truck to the fire. ( bend down little finger )
The big yellow flames go higher and higher. ( spread arms )
WHOOO–OO! Whooo–oo! Hear the fire truck say ( Imitate siren )
As all the cars get out of the way.
Shhhh! goes the water from the fire hose spout. ( Rub palms together )
And quicker than a wink the fire is out ! ( Clap hands.)
The motions are written in; have children rub palms for the hose and clap on the last line.
I’m a Big Red Fire Truck
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
I’m a big red fire truck long and stout,
When I am needed, I roar and shout.
People love to see me rush about,
Just turn me on and head me out.
I’m a big red fire truck stout and long,
Here’s is my ladder, tall and strong.
When I get a call, you’ll hear my song,
Just climb aboard and turn me on.
A chant, not a song; children crouch as the truck and roar on “roar and shout.”
Firefighters At Work
Added: 09-16-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Can you hear the siren? (Cup right hand to ear.)
Listen to it scream!
Can you hear the fire bell? (Cup left hand to ear.)
Do you know what they mean?
Here come the firefighters. (Run in place.)
Listen to them shout! (Cup hands around mouth.)
Pour on water! Pour on water! (With mouth cupped, shout this.)
Put the fire out! (Shout and pretend to squirt water from hose.)
The most active one on the page; run in place and shout the water lines, then sit for something quiet.
Police officer and 9-1-1 songs
Two of these teach 9-1-1, which is the one fact from the whole unit that matters most. The health and safety songs page has more on what to do in an emergency.
I’m a Police Officer
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little Teapot”
I’m a police officer
With my star,
I help people
Near and far.
If you have a problem,
Call on me,
And I will be there
One, two, three!
Point to a paper star on the chest and count one, two, three on fingers; the first police song to teach threes.
The Traffic Cop Song
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Do Your Ears Hang Low?”
Do you drive a car
With a flashing light on top?
When you hold up your hand,
Does the traffic have to stop?
Can you blow a whistle loud,
Standing straight and tall and proud?
You’re our friend, the traffic cop.
Hold up a flat palm on “stop” and blow a real whistle if you have one; fours love the whistle.
9-1-1
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “3 Blind Mice”
9-1-1, 9-1-1,
Help’s on the way, help’s on the way.
If I need help, I know what to do,
I can call the police and the firehouse, too,
It makes me feel safe to know what to do.
Dial 9-1-1.
Practise dialling the three numbers on a toy phone as you sing; fives can say their address afterwards.
The Policeman
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”
The policeman walking down the street,
Down the street, down the street,
The policeman walking down the street,
I wonder who he’ll meet.
A short walking song; march the group around the rug and let each child name who the officer meets.
Policeman (revised with 9-1-1)
Added: 10-20-2005
Submitted by: Joyce Adams
I revised the poem that was listed to include emergency number.
Original:
I’m a police officer
With my star,
I help people
Near and far.
If you have a problem,
Call on me,
And I will be there
One, two, three!
Revised:
I’m a policeman
With my star,
I help people
Near and far.
If you have a problem,
Get the phone
And I’ll be there
Dial 9-1-1
Use the revised verse once children know the original; the phone motion replaces the counting.
Five Police Officers
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Five police officers, standing by the store,
One directed traffic, and then there were four.
Four police officers, watching over me,
One took home a lost girl, and then there were three.
Three police officers, dressed all in blue,
One stopped a speeding car, and then there were two.
Two police officers, how fast they can run,
One caught a bank robber, and then there was one.
One police officer, standing in the sun,
Sun went down, he went home, and then there were none.
A count-down for fours and fives; five children stand at the front and sit as each verse ends.
Doctor and nurse songs
Pair these with the top 10 doctor songs if you run a full doctor week, and with the my body songs when children are learning where the heart and lungs are.
I’m Happy I’m a Doctor
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie lies over the ocean”
I’m happy I’m a doctor,
I help to make people well.
I’m happy I’m a doctor,
It makes me feel just swell.
I’m a doctor,
I help to make people well, well, well.
I’m a doctor,
I’m happy, can’t you tell?
Sway side to side to the waltz beat, then hand out a toy stethoscope and let children listen to a friend’s heart.
I’m a Nurse Dressed in White
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Little white duck”
I’m a nurse dressed in white,
And I feel just swell.
When you are sick,
I help to make you well.
I give you shots,
And if you’re afraid,
I fix you up with a big Band-Aid.
I’m a nurse dressed in white,
And I feel just swell.
Now you’re well!
Have a box of adhesive bandages ready; every child gets one on a doll or a teddy after the song.
I’m a Helpful Doctor
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a helpful doctor, Dressed in white,
I help people feel better, Day and night.
When you get hurt or sick,
Come see me.
I’ll get you all fixed up, Just as quick as can be.
Same tune as the firefighter and police teapot songs, so children who know one learn this in a minute.
To The Hospital
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are You Sleeping”
To the hospital, to the hospital,
We will go. We will go.
We will see the doctors,
We will see the nurses,
Dressed in white, dressed in white.
Sing it as a round with fives, or as a marching song into the dramatic play clinic.
Miss Polly Had A Dolly
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Miss Polly Had A Dolly who was sick, sick, sick
(rock dolly)
So she called for the doctor to come quick, quick, quick,
(pretend to call doctor on telephone)
The doctor came with his bag and his hat,
(pretend to hold bag with one hand, take off hat w. other)
And he knocked on the door with a rat-a-tat tat.
(knock on floor)
The doctor looked at dolly and he shook his head.
And he told Miss Polly, ‘Put her straight to bed.’
He wrote out a paper for a pill, pill, pill.
‘I’ll be back in the morning with my bill, bill, bill’.
(for above, shake head, write pill, hand out bill)
A classic with the motions written in; each child rocks their own doll or stuffed animal.
The Doctor’s Song
added 9-28-98 Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
I use a stethoscope
To listen to your heart.
To help you be a healthy child
And heal you when you’re aren’t.
Four lines to a tune every child knows; place a hand on the chest for the heartbeat.
I’m a Doctor
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
I’m happy that I am a doctor
I can help to make people feel well
I’m happy that I am a doctor
It makes me feel just swell
I’m a doctor, a doctor
I help to make people feel well well well
I’m a doctor, a doctor
I can help to make people fell well!
A second version of the Bonnie tune; use whichever wording your children pick up first.
I’m Happy That I Am A Nurse
Added: 01-20-2003
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean”
I’m happy that I am a nurse,
I help to make people well.
I’m happy that I am a nurse,
It makes me feel swell.
I am a nurse
I help to make people well, well well.
I am a nurse
I help to make people well
Sing it back to back with the doctor version so children hear that both jobs make people well.
The Doctor in the Clinic
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Farmer in the Dell”
The Doctor in the clinic.
The Doctor in the clinic.
Hi-ho the derry-o,
The Doctor in the clinic.
The doctor takes a nurse…
The nurse takes a patient…
The patient gets help…
The patient gets better…
A circle game like the original; the doctor picks a nurse, the nurse picks a patient, and the patient gets better.
Doctor Day
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
My father said, “It’s doctor day,”
Then he and I were on our way,
To see our friend, the doctor who,
Would check me out, as doctors do.
She had more things, than I can tell,
To help her keep the people well.
She checked me up and all the while,
She wore a big and friendly smile.
So now I hope that someday you,
May go to see the doctor too!
A poem to read aloud before a check-up; the doctor in it is a woman, which is worth pointing out.
Dentist songs
Three here. The 15 dentist songs page has more if dentist day needs a longer set.
Dr. Denise the Dentist
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Dr. Denise the Dentist
Helps me keep my teeth so white.
Dr. Denise the Dentist
Teaches me to brush just right.
Dr. Denise the Dentist
Always wears a super smile.
Dr. Denise the Dentist,
I’ll be your friend a long, long while.
Swap in your own dentist’s name and mime brushing on “brush just right.”
Dentist
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
If I were a dentist,
I know what I would do.
(Point to self.)
I’d tell all the children, “Brush your teeth.”
(Imitate brushing teeth.)
“Keep a smile like new.”
(Make a big smile and point to lips.)
And if a tiny hole should show,
I’d say, “Climb into my chair.”
(Make circle with fingers.)
I’d make my little drill go buzzzzzzzzzz,
And put a filling there!
(Point to teeth.)
The motions are in the text; the buzzzzz is the line children wait for, so hold it.
The Dentist’s Song
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Brush, brush brush your teeth.
Keep them clean each day.
then you’ll have a pretty smile,
And healthy teeth all day.
Sing it at the sink after snack with a real toothbrush in hand.
Mail carrier songs
Mail Carrier Song
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
I get to sort the mail,
Then carry it to your home.
The mail comes from all over,
Like New York, Paris, and Rome.
Mail, mail, mail, mail,
I love to deliver the mail, mail, mail.
Mail, Mail, Mail, Mail,
I love to deliver the mail.
Sort a pile of envelopes into a shoebox on “sort the mail,” then deliver them to children’s cubbies.
Do you Drive a Mail Truck?
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Do Your Ears Hang Low?”
Do you drive a mail truck,
Walk in snow and rain and muck,
To deliver mail over hill and dale?
Do you carry great big boxes,
Heavy like they’re filled with rocks?
Do you drive a mail truck?
Pretend to lift a heavy box on “filled with rocks”; fours find the groaning funny.
In His Mail Truck
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “She’ll be comin’ Round the mountain”
He’ll be coming in his mail truck when he comes,
He’ll be coming in his mail truck when he comes,
He’ll be coming in his mail truck,
He’ll be coming in his mail truck,
He’ll be coming in his mail truck when he comes.
he’ll be wearing his blue uniform…….
he’ll be bringing a package for me……
he’ll bring mail for mom and dad…..
he’ll pick up letters from our mailbox….
Change “he” to “she” for half the verses and add a verse about your own mail carrier.
Letter Carrier
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Letter carriers haul a very full pack
Of letters and packages upon their back.
Step, step, Now ring, ring, ring!
Oh what surprises they will bring.
Four lines with a ring at the end; a small bell makes the last line.
The Mail Carrier’s Song
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Write, write, write your cards,
And lots of letters, too.
I will bring them to your friends,
And they will write back soon.
Sing it the day children write a real card to send home.
In the Mailbox
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are You Sleeping?”
In the mailbox, in the mailbox,
Look and see, look and see!
A package or a postcard!
A letter from my grandma!
Just for me, just for me!
In the mailbox, in the mailbox,
Look and see, look and see!
A magazine that’s dandy!
A valentine with candy!
Just for me, just for me!
Put a postcard, a magazine and a valentine in a shoebox mailbox and pull each one out on its line.
What Can We Send in the Mail?
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Go In and Out the Window”
What can we send in the mail?
What can we send in the mail?
What can we send in the mail?
At the post office today?
Oh, we can mail a letter.
Oh, we can mail a letter.
Oh, we can mail a letter.
At the post office today.
Repeat second verse, replacing “letter” with other words such as valentine, package, postcard, birthday card, etc.)
Let each child name what they would mail and sing a verse for it.
Teacher and school bus songs
The bus song fits a transport theme as well; the 27 transportation songs page has the rest of the vehicles.
Teachers
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”
Our teacher comes to school each day,
School each day, school each day.
Our teacher comes to school each day,
To help us learn and grow.
She smiles and helps us learn all day,
Learn all day, learn all day.
She smiles and helps us learn all day,
We’re glad we come to school.
Change “she” to match your own staff and let children sing a verse for the aide too.
Bus (The School Bus Comes For Me)
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
The School Bus Comes For Me
Sung to: “farmer in the dell”
The school bus comes for me.
The school bus comes for me.
Hey ho, it’s time to go.
The school bus comes for me.
First we pick up John,
Next we pick up Susie,
Then we pick up ?
Last we pick up ?
Now we are at school.
Now we are at school.
Clap and cheer we’re finally here.
Now we are at school.
Line chairs up in two rows as a bus and pick up each child by name in the middle verses.
Farmer and vet songs
For a full farm week, the 36 best farm songs for kids page has the animals; these two cover the people who look after them.
Farmer
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
First the farmer sows his seeds.
(Imitate planting seeds.)
Then he stands and takes his ease.
(Stand with hands on hips.)
He stamps his foot.
(Stamp foot.)
He claps his hands.
(Clap hands.)
And turns around to view his lands.
(Turn around with hand across eyebrows, looking.)
Five motions in five lines; do it standing so the stamp and the turn have room.
I’m a Vet
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Oh, my darling Clementine”
I’m a vet, I’m a vet,
I’m a veterinarian.
I take care of the animals,
And I treat them one by one.
I give shots, I set legs,
And sometimes I operate.
I take care of the animals,
‘Cause I think they are just great.
Bring your dogs, bring you cats,
Bring your hamsters one by one.
I take care of the animals,
I’m a veterinarian.
Set out stuffed animals and a toy doctor kit and let children treat them one by one after the song.
Carpenter, painter and plumber songs
I Want To Be A Carpenter
Added: 09-22-1998
Original Author: Unknown
I want to be a carpenter and work the whole day long.
I’ll use a great big box of tools; my arms are very strong
First, I’ll saw and saw and saw, and cut the boards in two
Little boards and big boards-all kinds of boards will do.
I’ll plane and plane and plane the boards for everyone is rough.
Back and forth I’ll plane the boards until they’re smooth enough.
I’ll measure them and measure them – each one down to a T
And then I’ll start to build a house for me up in a tree!
A long poem for fives; saw, plane and measure with both hands on each verse.
Carpenter
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
This is the way he saws the wood
(making saw motion)
Sawing, sawing, sawing.
This is the way he nails the nail
(making hammering motion)
Nailing, nailing, nailing.
This is the way he paints the house
(making a brushing motion)
Painting, painting, painting.
Three actions to the Mulberry Bush tune; threes manage all three.
The Carpenters Tools
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
The carpenter’s hammer goes rap, rap, rap.
(making a hammering motion.)
And is his/her saw goes see, saw, see.
(making a sawing motion)
He/she planes and hammers and saws,
(make motion for each)
While he/she builds a building for me.
(point to self).
The he/she is written in so you can alternate; give fours a toy hammer to tap the beat.
Oh, Mister Painter
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mister sun”
Oh, Mister Painter, painter, Mister house painter,
Please paint my house (color word).
Oh mister painter, painter, mister house painter,
please paint it (color word) for me.
My house needs painting so I called you.
I know what a fine job you will do.
Oh mister painter, painter, mister house painter, Please paint my house (color word)
Fill in a different colour each round and hold up a paint chip of that colour.
Boom, Boom, Ain’t it Great to be a Plumber?
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Boom Boom Ain’t it great to be crazy?”
Boom, Boom, Ain’t it Great to be a Plumber?
Boom, Boom, Ain’t it Great to be a Plumber?
Fixin’ pipes and plumbing, the whole day through,
Boom, Boom, Ain’t it Great to be a Plumber?
A four-line shout; a short length of pipe from the hardware store is the prop.
We Need a Plumber
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Yankee Doodle”
Pipes can carry water to
The bathroom or the kitchen.
But when the pipes aren’t working, then
A plumber has to fix them.
When the sink is backing up,
When the faucet’s drippy,
When the toilet just won’t flush,
We need a plumber quickly!
Fives can list the three problems in the song; mime a dripping tap on “drippy.”
Baker, chef and grocer songs
The Customer Orders the Food
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The farmer in the dell”
The customer orders the food, The customer orders the food.
It happens at a restaurant, The customer orders the food.
The server tells the cook…..
The cook prepares the food……
The server brings it out……..
The customer eats the food…….
The customer pay the cashier…..
The cashier takes the money…….
The busser cleans the table……
A restaurant game for the dramatic play corner; assign customer, server, cook, cashier and busser and act each verse.
Old Man Grocer Has a Store
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Old McDonald”
Old Man Grocer has a store, yes siree, he does.
And in that store he has some carrots, yes siree, he does.
With a crunch, crunch here, and a crunch, crunch there.
Here a crunch, there a crunch, everywhere a crunch crunch.
Old Man Grocer has a store, yes siree, he does.
Juice…………gulp, gulp;
popcorn………pop,pop;
ice cream…….lick, lick
Sing it with real snack items on a tray; each child picks the next food and its sound.
Mr. Grocer Had A Store
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Old McDonald Had A Farm
Mr. Grocer had a store, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
And in his store he had some milk, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
With a gulp-gulp here and a gulp-gulp there
Here a gulp, there a gulp, everywhere a gulp-gulp.
Mr. Grocer had a store, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
Apples – crunch, crunch, crunch.
Popcorn – pop, pop, pop.
Carrots – munch, munch, munch.
A second grocer version with the sounds written in; use whichever your children take to.
Five Sugar Buns
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Five sugar buns in the baker’s shop,
Big and round with icing on top.
Along came _____ with a dime one day,
She/he bought a sugar bun and took it away.
Four…Three….Two….One….
No sugar buns in the baker’s shop
Big and round with icing on top.
Please, Mister Baker, bake once again,
And this time bake eight, nine or ten!
A count-down with a child’s name in each verse; five paper buns on a felt board make it work.
Pizza Project
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
“Pat a cake, pat a cake ,Pizza Man.
Make me a pizza as fast as you can!
Roll it and toss it and sprinkle it with cheese.
And don’t forget 5 pepperonis ,please !!”
Hope you can use this sometime !!
The kids enjoy “spreading ” red finger paint over a brown circle, then
sprinkling paper “cheese” strips and finally putting the little red paper
circles on for the pepperoni…………
A pat-a-cake chant with the art project written underneath; do the chant first, then the finger-paint pizza.
Songs about all the helpers
Sing one of these on the first day to name the helpers you will meet, and again on the last day to see how many jobs the children can remember.
What is My Job?
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are you sleeping?”
What is my job?
What is my job?
Can you guess?
Can you guess?
[_________________]
Ex. I help people get well.
[_________________]
Ex. I help people get well.
Who am I?
Who am I?
*Other verses: I can fix the water pipes. I deliver letters. I make tasty meals for you. I keep your pets healthy. I can teach you new things. I can help if you get lost.
A guessing game; you sing a clue and children shout the job, then a child takes your part.
Helpers
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
This is Dr. Bell who keeps us well. (thumb up)
This is Nurse Rick, who cares for the sick. (index up)
This is Dr. Health, who cares for our teeth. (middle up)
This is Postman Dale, who delivers our mail. (ring up)
This one here — hey, that’s me! (pinky up)
We all work together for our community!
A five-finger fingerplay for threes; end with everyone pointing to themselves on “that’s me.”
The Community Worker Song
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Farmer In The Dell”
The firemen are brave.
The firemen are brave.
Heigh-ho what do you know,
The firefighters are brave.
Other possible versus;
Barbers cut our hair.
Doctors keep us well.
Dentists check our teeth.
Bakers bake our bread.
Policeman stop the traffic.
Add a verse for every helper you cover in the unit and sing the full set on the last day.
Community Helper Song
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Farmer In the Dell”
The doctor makes us well.
The doctor makes us well.
Hey! Ho! What do you know?
The doctor makes us well.
Continue with other verses.
The farmer sows the field . . .
The chef cooks the food . . .
The mailman brings the mail . . .
The firefighter puts out fires . . .
Policemen keep us safe . . .
The same Farmer in the Dell frame as “The Community Worker Song”; pick one for the unit and add verses to it.
Community Helpers Song (Rudolph tune)
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Mailmen deliver mail,
Nurses help us when we’re sick,
Bankers deposit money,
Farmers raise cows, goats and chicks.
Doctors, teachers and police.
We all need them so.
Each does his important part
Always on the go.
Bus drivers, sales and firemen,
Couldn’t do without them too!
Can’t wait ’til you grow up, There’s so many jobs for you!
Names eleven jobs in twelve lines; hold up a picture card for each as it goes by.
Community Helpers Song (Skip to My Lou tune)
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Skip to My Lou”
Firefighters help in many ways,
Putting out the fires everyday,
To keep us safe throughout the day.
Firefighters help us everyday!
Mail carriers help in many ways,
Picking up our mail everyday,
Sending our letters on their way.
Mail carriers help us every day!
Teachers help in many ways,
Reading with children everyday,
Teaching students throughout each day.
Teachers help us every day!
Policemen help in many ways,
Patrolling the streets everyday,
To protect us as we work and play.
Policemen help us everyday!
Four helpers, four verses, one bouncy tune; march in place and change helper each verse.
If I Were
Added: 06-09-1998
Original Author: Unknown
If I were a baker (pretend to put on a hat and apron)
What would I do?
Bake lots of cookies (make a circle with thumb and forefinger)
For me and you. (point to self and a friend)
If I were a secretary, (pretend to type and write on a notepad)
What would I do?
Answer the phone, (hold pretend phone to ear)
“How do you do?”
If I were a veterinarian, (pretend to put a stethoscope in ears)
What would I do?
Care for your pet (pretend to examine a cat or dog)
It’s special to you.
If I were a dentist, (look in mouth of friend)
What would I do?
Check those teeth (pretend to drill or x-ray friend’s teeth)
That’s good for you!
If I were a hair dresser (pretend to comb a friend’s hair)
What would I do?
Wash and trim your hair (pretend to wash & cut a friend’s hair)
“Oh, pretty!” for you!
A five-verse action rhyme with the motions written in; fours can act all five, threes take two.
Did You Ever See?
Added: 9-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Did you ever see a builder, a builder , a builder
Did you ever see a builder saw this way and that?
Saw this way and that way, saw this way and that way
Did you ever see a builder saw this way and that
Did you ever see a painter A painter A painter
Did you ever see a painter brush this way and that
Brush this way and that way brush this way and that way
Did you ever see a painter brush this way and that
Did you ever see a farmer a farmer a farmer
Did you ever see a farmer Plow this way and that
Plow this way and that way plow this way and that way
Did you ever see a farmer plow this way and that
Did you ever see a miner a miner a miner
Did you ever see a miner dig this way and that
Dig this way and that way dig this way and that way
Did you ever see a miner dig this way and that
Did you ever see a teacher a teacher a teacher
Did you ever see a teacher write this way and that
Write this way and that way write this way and that way
Did you ever see a teacher write this way and that
Did you ever see a baker a baker a baker
Did you ever see a baker toss pizza like that
Toss this way and that way toss this way and that way
Did you ever see a baker toss pizza like that
Six jobs, six actions; the pizza-tossing baker verse is the one children ask to repeat.
Our Community Helpers (with Peter Works With One Hammer)
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Some people bring us produce,
And drinks all fresh and cold.
Some people work in shops and stores
Where many things are sold.
Some people bring us letters and
Take the mail away.
Some people stop the traffic
To help us on our way.
Some people move our furniture And put it in a van.
Some people take the garbage And empty every can.
Peter Works With One Hammer
Peter works with one hammer, (one hand)
One hammer, one hammer,
Peter works with one hammer,
This fine day.
Two……Three……Four……Five hammers
(other hand, one foot, other foot, head)
Peters getting tired now…. (slow down and fall asleep)
Peters waking up again….
Read the first half as a poem, then stand up for “Peter Works With One Hammer,” the hammering song written underneath it.
All Around the Neighborhood
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
All around the neighborhood,
People help each other.
The driver on the bus,
Helps a girl and her mother.
The girl and her mother,
See the butcher for meat.
The butcher gives a letter,
To the carrier down the street.
The carrier asks the barber,
To trim his mustache.
The barber sweeps the hair up,
And puts out all the trash.
The trash collector stops,
When a fire truck clangs its bell.
Firefighters join the police,
Who make sure all is well.
All around the neighborhood,
There’s lots that people do.
All around the neighborhood,
Who helps you?
A chain poem for fives; give each helper to a child and pass a letter down the line as it goes.
The People In Your Neighborhood
Added: 06-02-1998
Original Author: Unknown
The words to this song are under copyright. It is the Sesame Street song written by Jeffrey Moss, so the lyrics are not printed here; the official recording is easy to find, and the two verses name a mail carrier and a firefighter.
Play the recording and let children add their own verses about the helpers on your street.
What Will You Be?
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Doctor, dancer, office clerk,
What’s your favorite kind of work?
Miner, designer, baking cake,
What’s the job that you will take?
Barber, farmer, animal vet,
What position will you get?
Tailor, sailor, engineer,
What’ll you pick for your career?
Work with people,
Work alone,
Work all day on the telephone.
Work in an office,
Work outdoors,
Where will you work?
The choice is yours!
Driver, diver, fighting fires,
What’s the job of your desires?
Teacher, painter, selling shoes,
What’s the job that you will choose?
Read it aloud on the last day of the unit and let each child answer the final question.
Many Jobs
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
There are so many jobs to do.
There is one that’s right for you.
Be a ___ if you please.
Be the best that you can be.
There are so many jobs to do.
There is one that’s right for you.
For any kind of job you choose,
There are things that you must do.
Study hard so you will know
How to do your work just so.
Find out how you need to dress.
Come on time, and do your best.
Fill in the blank with each child’s chosen job; the second verse makes a good closing talk about doing your best.
Other helpers: barber, garbage collector, lifeguard and more
One song each for the jobs that come up once in a unit, usually when a child asks about them.
The Barber and Beautician
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Here we go round the Mulberry Bush”
This is the way the beautician washes,
Scrub, scrub, scrub.
This is the way the barber shaves,
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
This is the way the beautician cuts,
Snip, snip, snip.
This is the way the barber cuts.
Clip, clip, clip
*children can pretend to make actions
Scrub, buzz, snip and clip on a friend’s pretend hair; a comb and a spray bottle are enough props.
Down at the dump
Added: 09-22-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Down by the station”
Down at the dump early in the morning,
See the dump trucks standing in a row.
See them dump the garbage
In a great big pile,
Dump, dump, dump, dump,
Watch them go.
Pretty soon our dumps will all be full,
We had better figure out something to do.
We could all recycle
Some of our garbage,
Recycle, recycle,
Watch us go.
The second verse opens a recycling talk; sort a bin of clean cartons and cans after singing.
Louie Lifeguard Song
Added: 09-02-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Louie Life guard acts so cool,
When he works down at the pool.
Sitting on his chair so high,
Watching all the folks go by.
But he always stays alert.
To make sure no one gets hurt.
Sit one child up high on a chair as the lifeguard and let the rest swim past on the rug.
The Florist
Added: 03-20-2006
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”
The florist arranges the flowers.
The florist delivers them too.
So if you need flowers for someone,
The florist’s the one to help you!
Flowers, flowers!
Call up the florist today, today!
Flowers, flowers!
Call up the florist today!
Bring a bunch of real flowers and let children arrange them in a jar after the song.
I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
I’ve been workin’ on the railroad
All the livelong day.
I’ve been workin’ on the railroad
Just to pass the time away.
Don’t you hear the whistle blowing?
Rise up so early in the morn.
Don’t you hear the Captain shouting:
“Dinah, blow your horn.”
A traditional song most parents know; pull an imaginary whistle cord on the whistle line.
I’d like to be an Astronaut
Added: 02-27-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Skip to my Lou”
I’ll like to be an astronaut, flying in space.
I’ll like to be an astronaut, flying in space.
I’ll like to be an astronaut, flying in space.
Flying in a shuttle.
Zoom around the rug with arms out; best at the end of the unit as a “what else could you be” song.
Frequently asked questions
What are community helpers for preschoolers?
Community helpers are the people whose work keeps a neighborhood running: firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, dentists, mail carriers, teachers, farmers, bus drivers and the person who collects the trash. For a preschooler the useful definition is simpler: a helper is someone with a job that helps other people. The unit teaches children to notice those people, name what they do, and know they can ask them for help.
How long should a community helpers unit last?
Two to three weeks works for most rooms, with one helper per day or one per week depending on how deep you go. A single week covering five helpers is enough for threes. Fours and fives can hold a three-week unit with a visitor each week and a dramatic play corner that changes with the helper.
How do I stop firefighter lessons frightening young children?
Show the gear going on, piece by piece, before any of it is worn. Explain that the mask and tank let the firefighter breathe in smoke and that the muffled voice is still a friendly person. Practise “go to the firefighter, don’t hide” as a game, and keep the songs cheerful: the counting rhymes and the truck songs, not the ones about flames.
What dramatic play props go with community helper songs?
A hat per helper is the minimum: a plastic fire helmet, a police cap, a chef’s hat, a hard hat. Add the hand tools each job uses, such as a toy stethoscope, envelopes and a mail bag, a paintbrush and a small hammer. A cardboard box becomes the truck, the bus or the clinic desk, so keep one large box in the room for the whole unit.
How do I invite a community helper to visit the classroom?
Ask parents first; most classes have a nurse, a mechanic or a bus driver among them. For firefighters and police, call the non-emergency number of the local station and ask for the community outreach or public education officer. Give the visitor a time limit of twenty minutes, tell them the children’s ages, and ask them to bring the tools of the job for children to see and touch.
What jobs should I cover first?
Start with the jobs children have seen with their own eyes: the bus driver, the crossing guard, the doctor and nurse, the person who collects the trash, and their own teacher. Those helpers already have a face. Move to firefighters and police once children understand that a job is something a person does for others, and leave the astronaut, the miner and the florist for the end.
Pick one helper for Monday, sing that helper’s songs every day that week, and let the rest of the page wait. When the unit is over, the good manners songs page covers saying please and thank you to the helpers you met, which is a natural next week.